July 14
________________________________________RIVERS OF LIVING WATER
33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He is not intending to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He? 36 What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?” 37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
– John 7:33-39
________________________________________
We clearly see that Jesus was not understood by the Jews. He was declaring to them what will happen next. They will be looking for Him but they won’t find Him. He is most likely talking about his coming crucifixion and resurrection. History tells us that after Jesus’ death, the Jewish leaders were all still scared of what might happen.
Matthew 27 accounts for these events :62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
Even after Jesus’ death, the Jewish leaders and priests were so insecure and wanted to ensure that Jesus was really an impostor. Jesus spoke to them and told them that those who will believe in Him will experience rivers of living water. Verse 39 was explaining to them the role of the Holy Spirit who will dwell in those who believe and through His Spirit, they will have all that they need and will have life. Jesus was referring to the Spirit power that will bring life to all those who believe in Him.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Share experiences in your born again life that testifies to the rivers of living water?