In John chapters 5 – 6, tension has been mounting in Christ’s ministry. With resistance from the religious leadership and the general division of the people, things didn’t seem to end well. Most of Christ’s disciples left him (John 6:66-71). However, Jesus was sure of His calling and mission. He always relied on the sovereignty and timing of His Heavenly Father. About six months later the Feast of Tabernacles, or Feast of Booths, took place. Jesus had withdrawn to Galilee and was avoiding the public’s attention. In chapter 7, the half-brothers of the Lord (Matthew 13:55-56; Luke 3:23) seemed to be mocking or coercing Him to get down to the feast at Jerusalem and go public again. Supposedly, this would build up His following. It is clear that, at this point, these half-brothers are not truly believing Jesus yet (John 7:5; Psalm 69:7-9 [note: vs. 8, “mother’s children” – not “father’s children”]; cp. Mark 6:1-6). Jesus resisted their attempts to rush Him (John7:1-9). Christ always calmly operated by the leading of His Father, not by the opinions of others (John 2:4, 23-25; 6:15; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1; 17:1). The same can be said for His speaking (John 7:16-18). Jesus waited till his family went to the feast. After that He went down to Jerusalem, not being noticed until He wanted to be noticed (John 7:10-14).

The Feast of Tabernacles / Booths commemorated the time that God guided and took care of Israel when they lived in tents in the wilderness for forty years (Leviticus 23:33-34). Daily ceremonies included the collecting of water at the pool of Siloam. The High Priest would carry the water in a golden vessel to the temple, where it was poured out to the Lord. This was a reminder of the water which came out of the rock and satisfied the thirst of the people of Israel (Exodus 17:1-7 cp. Numbers 20:1-11; I Corinthians 10:1-4). It is so fitting that Jesus picked the last and great day of this feast to address the subject of thirst, water, and satisfaction (John 7:37-39). Tradition tells us that on the last day of the feast the people recited Isaiah 12:3, “…With joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Jesus offered them more than wells. He offered them rivers! It was not mere water He offered. Rather it is living water! See John 4:10-14. Water is a symbol of the Word of God and the work of God’s Spirit (Numbers 19:1-13; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:25-26; Titus 3:5). Future prophecy speaks of a time when the knowledge of the Lord will come from Jerusalem, like rivers that pour out of the temple and cover the whole earth (Ezekiel 47:1-12 cp. Zechariah 13:1; 14:8-9).

In John 7:38 Jesus says, “…As the Scripture has said…” It is difficult to find a passage in the Old Testament that reads in the exact wording of Christ’s statement. Follow the word “me,” in John 7:37-38, apply it to the word “his” in John 7:38. Here we think of Christ as the source – out of His belly comes rivers of living water. We can be assured that Jesus is the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13; John 1:16; 4:10 cp. Isaiah 44:3-4). Consider Christ’s promise in John 4:14 and we can be assured that what Christ gives us is a source from within us – out of our belly / heart comes rivers of living water, like an artesian well (Isaiah 12:2-3; 58:11). We, in turn, become distributaries, giving out the life-giving words of the Gospel to others.

Have you accepted this invitation of Christ to drink His water? See Isaiah 55:1-7; Revelation 22:17.