John 7:37-43
37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,38 and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.40When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet."41Others said, "This is the Messiah." But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he?42Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?"43So there was a division in the crowd because of him.
How often we are like the crowds! God brings to us Good News! Jesus speaks words of life! “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink!” And instead of receiving the Good News of Life God brings through Jesus, we argue about whether the messenger is worthy of being the messenger. There is division in the crowd…there is division in the Church.
Today we have the opportunity to look at the important message Jesus brings. Are you thirsty? Are you needing more? Is your soul dying from lack of the Spirit? Jesus calls us to come, to drink! We don’t have to remain thirsty. We can be satisfied.
How interesting that the crowds – especially the religious leaders – argued about the qualifications of Jesus rather than examining His words by the Scriptures they had already been given. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah when He said: “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring.”
God promised to quench the dryness, to bring the water of His Spirit upon the offspring of Abraham. Jesus spoke the truth, but the message was lost in argument over the worthiness of the Messenger.
God often chooses to speak through the unexpected – through those who don’t seem to fit with God’s profile. Perhaps we would do well to take the time to listen to the message – test the words to see if they are from God. If they are, we need to set down our pre-conceived ideas of how God is going to speak, and receive the truth He brings.
Are you thirsty today? Is your spirit longing to be renewed? Jesus has a message for you. He has made a way, and if you ask, if you come to Him, He will give you what you need. Out of your heart will flow rivers of living water.