On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) (John 7:37–39 NLT)
On Tuesday, we looked at Ezekiel 37 and his vision of a river of living water flowing from the Temple. Now we catch up with Jesus at the climax of the Festival of Shelters, and he doesn’t just speak up or gather a few within earshot with a message.
This time Jesus stands and shouts.
It’s a message not to be missed by anyone, even on a day of rich religious celebration. This message must be heard.
And his message is one of invitation to those who are thirsty – an invitation to those who believe in him – because the Spirit will flow through us like rivers of living water from his heart. May what flows out of you this day be the living waters of the heart of God.