John 7: 37-39 Rivers of Living Water

Dr. G. Flattery

Introduction

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus spoke to the people who were thirsty. Obviously, He is addressing the spiritual thirst of the people. It may be that there is a deep thirst in your own soul today. You really want to find the water that will quench the thirst. You earnestly want to satisfy the longings of your heart to know God.
Jesus made a strong declaration that will answer your need. He no doubt had in mind the miracle of the water coming forth (Exodus 17:6) out of the rock in the wilderness as well as the words of the prophets. Christians have long identified Jesus with the rock (I Corinthians 10:4) in the wilderness. Let's allow the declaration of Jesus to speak to us.

One, Jesus invites you to come to Him! Accept His invitation.

Jesus said, "'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." When Jesus invites us to come and drink, He uses figures of speech. What does Jesus mean by coming and drinking? He is inviting us to believe in Him and to receive what He offers!
Jesus dies on the cross for our sins. He arose from the grave in power and victory. Now, He sits as the right hand of the Father. He alone was able to atone for our sins. It is through Him alone that we can have salvation. He alone can quench our spiritual thirst. Let us believe in Him and receive the abundant life that He offers to us.

Two, the Spirit flows from "his" innermost being.

Through the centuries, theologians have debated the meaning of verse 38. Do the rivers of living water flow from the innermost being of Christ or the innermost being of the believer? Actually, we can take this verse either way. Both thoughts are true and both are in harmony with the rest of what John says in his gospel.
Barclay (pp. 263-264) writes: "Whether we take this picture as referring to Christ or to the man who accepts Christ, it means that from Christ there flows the strength and power and cleansing which alone give us life in the real sense of the term." Certainly, Christ is the giver of the living water. Just as clearly, the believer receives the living water.

Three, the "rivers of living water" represent the abundance of the flow of the Spirit both to us and through us.

At a minimum, the rivers of living water will quench our spiritual thirst. We are reminded of the song "Fill My Cup Lord." It is based on John 4:14. The words and music are by Richard Blanchard. The words are given below.
In addition to our own thirst being quenched, we can go further and shares the rivers of living water with others. They, too, can come to Christ and believe. I served as president of ICI University for 32 years. About 1,500,000 people sent in written testimonies of conversion from amny lands. There is no joy like the joy of the harvest!

Four, because Jesus was glorified, we can receive the Spirit.

Jesus was gloried through His death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation to the right hand of the Father. When he was exalted, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit. Now, He gives the Spirit to us.
The Holy Spirit was at work before the glorification of Jesus, but the Spirit now represents Christ in His exalted position. He has completed His saving work. Through His work, we experience all that Christ gives to us. The work of Christ is applied to our hearts

Conclusion

When we believe in Christ, we receive the Spirit. However, Christ's exhortations to come and drink are present tenses. To come and drink means to believe and receive all that He offers. We must keep on believing and keep on receiving. Not only do we receive, but we must also let the rivers flow through us to others. We will see the harvest!

Fill My Cup Lord

Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy,
And then I heard my Savior speaking
Draw from my well that never shall run dry
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
There are millions in this world
who are craving The pleasures earthly things afford
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole