John 7:37,38 – On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Jesus is crying out to the thirsty people all over the world, He has cried out for the thirsty in every generation. The sound of His voice is strangely attractive to those who belong to Him. Apparently I was His before I knew it, it was the sound of His voice that finally drew me into His fold. This River that Jesus is speaking about here satisfies the thirst of our soul and beyond that begins to flow out of us to others. Here is how the Fire Bible describes this.
“Jesus is referring to the gift of the Holy Spirit that would be given to his followers after he left the earth. The Spirit guides and empowers Christ’s followers in a way that allows them to experience his overflowing life. As Christians respond to the Spirit’s direction and exercise his power, this “living water” will “flow” out to others with the spiritually healing, life-giving message of Jesus Christ.”
In verse 39, John tells us exactly what Jesus is talking about. He says this refers to the Holy Spirit that was poured out on us after Jesus was glorified. Here is how the Passion Bible notes describes this:
“This splendor included the splendor of the cross, the splendor of his resurrection, and the glory of his ascension into heaven. Just as water poured out of the rock that was struck by Moses, so from the wounded side of Jesus living water poured out to heal, save, and bring life to everyone who believes. The Holy Spirit poured out of Christ and into the church at Pentecost.”
So what does all of this mean for us today? First it means there is a deep satisfaction available to us through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Nothing else can satisfy this spiritual thirst that we all have. John says that this outpouring is the direct result of the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension of Christ. We live in the time of God’s promise that the Holy Spirit is available for all of us. Maybe you are becoming aware of a spiritual thirst that you never knew existed. If that is the case then its time for you to drink this Living Water.