The Living Water and The Feast of Tabernacles

In John 7, we read that Jesus goes to Jerusalem during the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles and in verses 37-39, Apostle John writes:

John 7:37-39
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time, the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

There is a deep significance to the timing of Jesus’ speech. During the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasted 7 days, a priest would dip a pitcher into the Pool of Siloam and carry it up to the Temple. Crowds of people would follow behind the priest and celebrate along the way with singing and dancing. At the pinnacle of the ceremony, the priest would pour the water on the altar of the Temple. Throughout the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jewish people would look back at the rock in the desert which provided water to their forefathers as they wandered in the desert. And they would also look forward to the day their Messiah would come and give them the “living water” of the Holy Spirit and God would establish His Kingdom.

Can you imagine the significance of this setting? As this water ceremony is taking place, Jesus stands up before the multitude of the Jewish people and boldly proclaims that HE IS the Messiah and whoever believes IN HIM will receive the “living water” of the Holy Spirit.

Wow! This bewildered those who heard his words. Some said “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Christ”. And still others wondered how in the world he could be the Christ. Some wanted to seize him.

The day will come when all people will know Messiah. In Revelation 1:7 we read: “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” What a glorious day that will be!

As we wait for the return of Jesus, let us be strong in the Spirit and take heed of I Thessalonians 5:16-24:

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

God Bless You All!