1357. Rivers of Living Water

Rivers of Living Water

Joh_7:25-44

A Thirsty Soul (Mat_5:6).

A Fountain of Waters (Joh_4:10).

A Call to Drink (Isa_55:1).

From Whence the Rivers Flow (Joh_7:38).

A Result and Not an Effort (Jer_20:9).

Rivers of Blessing (Eze_47:9).

The Overflow (Gal_5:22-23).

We have before us one of the striking scenes of the life of Christ. It is the time of the Feast of the Tabernacles. The city of Jerusalem is filled with visitors from all parts of Palestine and outlying country. Within the city improvised booths are sheltering the many guests. A week of festal ceremonials has come.

The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the commanded feasts of Israel. It anticipated the time of the Lord's Second Advent, when He will tabernacle among His people, and rejoice in their midst.

It was quite fitting that on such an occasion, the Son of God should come to this typical feast. As He moved around among the people, how His heart must have yearned for the day of Israel's rest! He knew that their feast was a hollow thing, so far as Israel was concerned. Did He not stand among them, unknown, unwelcomed, and unloved? He had in His hand the power to fulfil the type of the Feast of Tabernacles, but He knew that the fulfillment would be long delayed.

Christ saw Israel, as sheep without a shepherd; saw her scattered among the Gentiles, and trodden beneath their feet.

No wonder the Lord Jesus burst forth with a mighty appeal. Day after day of the feast, had come and gone; the last day had now come. Christ finally cried out: "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.

It is the purpose of this lesson not to follow the dispensational message which Christ's words carried with them, but to consider the personal application of His words to this age.

May God seal the testimony with His blessing.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR