John 7: Are You Thirsty?

John 7

Vs 37b-38

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, out of the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

During the feasts of booths, there was a tradition that on the last day, the priests would take water from the pool of Siloam and march it in a golden cup or bowl of some kind back to the temple. When it would get to the Winter Gate, three trumpet blasts were sounded to mark the joy of the occasion. Once they got to the temple, the water was walked around the alter while the choir would sing the Hallel (Ps 113-118). Then they would offer it as a sacrifice to God for good crops and rain. This was never ordained in scripture but just a tradition that the church came up with.

Jesus, who was at the Feast of Tabernacles, used this opportunity to speak out about the truly ordained living water (i.e. the Holy Spirit) that was to come. He echoed the words/

promise from Isaiah 55:1 “COME, everyone who THIRSTS, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and DRINK” which echo the gospel message. Those who thirst recognize a need and therefore approach the source - Christ - and then receives (drinks) salvation receiving the living water (Holy Spirit) that satiates forever.

So there’s your history lesson for today folks tied in with the gospel message, have an amazing one!😊