If Any Thirst, Let Him Come Unto Me And Drink, Saith Jesus -- King of kings And Lord of lords - Part 2502

This day, we are going to examine John 7. When Jesus was teaching in the temple (about the midst of the feast of the tabernacle), the Jews marvelled because this man (at least according to them) had never had any formal learning. Indeed, the Jews went so far as to question how Jesus knew letters. (John 7:14-15) Later on, in the last day (that great day of the feast), Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink ... he that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38)

For context, Jesus knew that the Jews sought to kill Him. In fact, the Jews intentions were well known. This is why Jesus walked/abode longer in Galilee and not in Jewry. His brethren (that did not believe in Him) said unto Jesus that He should depart hence and go into Judaea so that His disciples might also see the works that He did -- for there is no man that does any thing in secret, and He Himself sought to be known openly. These brethren said, "If Thou do these things, shew Thyself to the world." (John 7:1-4)

But Jesus tells them, "My time is not yet come, but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you, but Me it hates, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast, for My time is not yet full come." (John 7:6-8) It kind of reminds us of when the mother of Jesus wanted Jesus to turn the water into wine and Jesus said unto her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." (John 2:4)

After a period of time, Jesus travels up to the feast but not openly (as if it were in secret). As expected, the Jews sought Him out, asking among the people for information concerning His whereabouts. This caused much murmuring among the people for some saw Jesus as a good man, while others believed He deceived the people. Still, no one would speak openly either way -- for fear of the Jews. Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus heads to the temple to teach. This is the point in time when the Jews marvel because this man (to them) does not even know His letters.

Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine but His that sent Me. If any man do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of Myself; he that speaks of himself seeks his own glory; but he that seeks His glory that sent Him, the same is true and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, and [yet] none of you keeps the law? Why go ye about to kill Me?" (John 7:16-19)

The people answered saying that Jesus hast a devil --"who goeth about to kill Thee?"

Knowing their hearts, Jesus said unto them, "I have done one work and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should be not broken; are ye angry at Me because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement." (John 7:20-24)

This caused some to question whether Jesus was the very Christ -- the Rock which followed the Israelites through the Red Sea? And even more so, whether or not the rulers were aware that Jesus may be the prophesied Christ? "Howbeit ye know this man whence He is, but when Christ comes, no man knows whence He is." (John 7:27)

Then Jesus, again knowing their questions, taught them, saying, "Ye both know Me, and ye know whence I AM, and I AM not come of Myself but He that sent Me is true, whom ye know not. But I know Him: for I AM from Him, and He hath sent Me. Ye shall seek Me and shall not find Me; and where I AM, thither ye cannot come." (John 7:33-34)

Then said the Jews among themselves, "Whither will He go, that we shall not find Him? Will He go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that He said, "Ye shall seek me and shall not find Me, and where I AM; thither ye cannot come?" (John 7:35-36)

As we now understand, there were no truer words spoken -- for Jesus levelled the playing field between Jew and Gentile, bond and free -- on the cross, inviting the Gentiles (and the dispersed among them - the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad - throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia) to enter into His rest. [Remember afore, the willingness of Jews to turn to idols rather than Him] (James 1:1; Hebrews 4:36; I Peter 1:1)

Even so, the Lord knows our shortcomings and failures. And for this reason, He continues to say (as He did on the last day of the feast) -- "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink; he that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:17-18)

Meditate on these things this day. Stand in the offering plate.