John 7:37-38 "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. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
The past few chapters have been a comparison and contrast concerning those
things given by Moses and that which Jesus provides. They spoke as though Moses
had been the source of manna. Jesus is the living bread. Moses gave them water
from a rock. Jesus is the Living Water from the Rock of Ages. Moses was
with them to lead them. He had given the law. Moses died. They were constantly
leaning back (in past tense) on that which Moses gave.
Jesus' reply was in the present tense. "I am" the living bread.
"I am" the living water. You search the Scriptures for the words of
Moses. They testify (present tense) of me. You rely on the law which calls for
death to those who transgress. "I am" the redemption from that death.
There were those who refused to believe and there were those who were blessed
to believe. These folks were hungering and thirsting and did not even realize
it. Jesus cried out on the last day of the feast...."If any man thirst,
let him come unto me, and drink." It's an open invitation to His children.
The living water that flows from Jesus comes from His very heart, a heart that
is bent toward you. His desire is for your well being and He has provided all
that is necessary for that.
We often feel gladness and relief when we come in contact with certain friends.
They give us a certain sense of calmness when we are in their presence. The
Word of God teaches us there is a friend that sticks to us closer than a
brother. His name is Jesus and He constantly bids us to come into His presence.
There, we can take in that freshness of grace that gives sweet relief.
Teach us please Lord how to come to you in faith believing you are the One.