John 7:37 NLT
[37] On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!”
What did Jesus think when He saw the water ceremony being done once again? How many times had He witnessed the same thing…the high priest pouring water on the ground, only for the water to disappear into the hot sand, leaving only a patch of mud that would soon dry up.
What a picture of the religion God’s people were trying to practise. It had become like water poured into the sand. It benefitted no one because it had nothing to offer.
For Jesus, this ceremony was even more poignant because He was God in person, there for spiritually thirsty people who would believe in Him, forever… but they refused to receive Him.
What could be greater for thirsty souls than a fountain of crystal clear water inside them, always in them to drink at will. God often described Himself as a spring of living water for His people, there to quench their thirst if they would but come and drink, but which they had forsaken for worthless idols.
Jeremiah 2:13 NLT
[13] “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”I
His invitation was always there for anyone to drink and will remain until the end of time.
Isaiah 55:1 NLT
[1] “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money!”
His supply of living water is endless.
Psalms 46:4 NLT
[4] A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
Ezekiel 47:1 NLT
[1] “In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side.”
Revelation 22:1-2 NLT
[1] “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations….
[17] The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”
Water… we cannot live without it. A miracle substance made up of two elements, oxygen, which we breath, and hydrogen, apparently a versatile substance which has many uses in industry.
However, apart, they cannot do anything for thirst but fused together, they become water. We drink beverages for various reasons but when we are thirsty, only water will do.
It’s no wonder God made water for thirsty people but water is no use to us if we don’t drink it.
Why did Jesus have a sob in His voice when he shouted out His invitation? He knew His people would reject Him.
Luke 19:41-44 NLT
[41] “But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. [42] “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. [43] Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. [44] They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
Matthew 23:37 NLT
[37] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”
Jesus’ offer of life falls on deaf ears when the heart is hardened by sin and unbelief.
And He weeps…