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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 2 - Light Shines in the Darkness (John 5:1 - 11:54)
C - Jesus' Last Journey to Jerusalem (John 7:1 - 11:54) The Parting of Darkness and Light
1. The words of Jesus at the feast of tabernacles (John 7:1 – 8:59)

b) Disparate views on Jesus among the people and the high council (John 7:14-63)


JOHN 7:37-38
37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38 He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”

During the feast, Jesus preached again to the crowds in the temple court. They were waiting for the high priest to pour water on the altar. The priests came in procession with gladness and cheers to pour that water before God, an offering of thanks, symbol of the blessings they were seeking from the Creator for the coming year. They based this tradition on Isaiah’s words, "They shall draw waters with joy from the springs of salvation."

Jesus saw the thirsty souls who despite all the ritual did not know salvation. Jesus cried out to the expectant crowds, "Come to me and drink of the water of life freely. Let every one who thirsts come to me. I am the spring of life."

Those who do not long for the divine life will not come to the Savior. But to those who resort to him, Jesus says, "Whoever believes in me and is bonded with me personally becomes a fountain of blessing to many. The Scriptures urges you to have faith in me, and God commands you to come to me and find life and joy. " Whoever boldly approaches Jesus and drinks in his words and is filled with his Spirit is transformed. The thirsty one becomes a spring; the wicked egoist becomes a faithful servant.

Have you experienced the providential care of Jesus? He wants you to become a well of clear water. No doubt your heart brings out evil thoughts, but Jesus can purify your heart and mouth so that you may become a source of blessing to many.

Jesus’ aim is not just the cleansing of mind and soul but your body too, so that you become a living sacrifice acceptable to God, serving the lost. He purposes your entire sanctification, so that you may no longer live for yourself, but use your strength freely to serve others. Whoever yields himself unconditionally to Jesus will become a blessing to many.

JOHN 7:39
39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.

Whoever believes in Jesus receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. The descent of the Spirit on a man is a miracle of our generation, for we still live in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. He is not simply an angel or a phantom, but God Himself, full of holiness and love. The Spirit is like a pure flame and a powerful current. At the same time he is a tender Comforter. Every genuine Christian becomes a temple of this Holy Spirit.

This divine Spirit was not poured out universally in Christ’s days, because sins separated mankind from their Lord. The mountains of iniquity acted as a barrier keeping the Spirit from mankind. But after Jesus had dealt with our sins by his death and ascended to heaven and sat at the right hand of God, He then sent his Spirit of his love in union with the Father poured on believers everywhere. God is Spirit and is able to be present at any time anywhere. He can thus dwell in a believer who accepted His pardon for his sins by Christ’s blood. Brother, have you received God’s Spirit? Has Christ’s power come upon you? Come to Jesus, the source of revival and bounties. He assures you, "Whoever approaches me will not hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." Whoso believes, as the Scripture says, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water to others."

JOHN 7:40-44
40 Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there arose a division in the multitude because of him. 44 Some of them would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him.

Some of the listeners felt the might of truth in Jesus’ words, and submitted to that power. They publicly confessed that he was a prophet, knowing God’s will and discerning the secrets of men’s hearts. He is the appointed prophet promised to Moses who is to lead the people of the Old Testament from victory to victory in fellowship with God. In this way some of them dared to confess that the Nazarene was truly the promised Messiah.

However, the logic of the Scribes protested, "No! He comes from Nazareth, but the Messiah must be from David’s town and of his seed." This reference to Scripture is correct. So why did Jesus not inform them that he was born in Bethlehem? There are reasons for this: Firstly, the family of Herod would not allow for a new king from outside their dynasty. They were prepared to slaughter tens of thousands to keep in power. Secondly, Jesus had no wish to win converts by way of historical proofs. He preferred to build up their trust by love and their perception of his sovereignty. Thus he drew to himself those who believed without seeing.

Controversy grew among the crowds, and they split into parties. Some confessed him to be the Messiah others denied this. The temple servants stood by aiming to arrest Jesus; but the sovereign majesty of his words deterred them and they were unable to approach him.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we worship you for your love and majesty. You are the source of life. You have bound yourself with us by faith. You have poured your Spirit into us. Your divinity has become ours by faith, we sinners. For you have cleansed us by your blood, to live for ever.

QUESTION:

  1. Why has Jesus the right to say, "If anyone thirst let him come to me and drink?"

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