Living Water
Following the feeding of the five thousand in chapter six, chapter seven opens with Jesus continuing to teach and do miracles throughout Galilee. He stayed away from Judea, however, because the Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him. As the Feast of Tabernacles was drawing near, Jesus’ brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas, told Jesus that He should go to Judea to do His miracles publicly. Their advice was not to bring others to a salvation, but to see Jesus become a prominent public person. Sadly, Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him.
Jesus told His brothers that it was not the right time for Him to go. He was on a divine time table set for Him by the Father. It was right for the brothers to go to the Feast because they were following tradition - it was expected of them and they were not a threat to anyone. Jesus, however, was hated because His teaching challenged people to live righteously. He called sin what it was - sin; and the world hated Him for it. Therefore, He could not go to the Feast publicly because others wanted to kill Him.
The beginning part of the chapter shows us that “it requires spiritual discernment to know God’s timing.” (Warren Wiersbe) Often we are faced with important decisions and it is sometimes difficult to know when and if we should move on something. It is important for us to seek the Lord’s wisdom by studying His Word and talking to Him in prayer. First and foremost, if a choice goes against God’s principles, then it is not one we should make. If we are not feeling at peace about a choice, then that is also a good indication that either the choice is not right or it’s the wrong time to choose it.
After the brothers left, Jesus did go to the Feast, but secretly. While the Jews were seeking Him, there was much discussion about Him. Some said He was a good man and others said He deceived the people. Jesus’ character was the topic of discussion. Either he was what He claimed to be or He was a liar. All this discussion was done quietly among the people as no one wanted to speak openly for fear of what the Jewish religious leaders might do to them.
This chapter reveals that Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe in Him; that the people were only impressed with His miracles and did not receive His message; and fear kept people from speaking positively about Him.
The Feast of Tabernacles took place in the seventh calendar month and lasted for seven days. The people would build wooden booths with thatched roofs and live in them to remember the forty years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. In the middle of the Feat, Jesus went to the temple courts to teach. The religious leaders were amazed by His teaching “because He did not have any credentials from their approved rabbinical schools” and He claimed His doctrine came from God. This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 50:4 which says “the Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue.”
Warren Wiersbe, in his New Testament commentary, points out that “Jesus rightly could claim absolute authority for everything He taught.” Pastors today can claim the Bible’s authority, but not necessarily their own interpretations of it. One way we can determine if Jesus’ teaching is the truth is “by obeying what He tells us to do. God’s Word proves itself true to those who will sincerely do it.” E. W. Robertson says that “obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.” Wiersbe also points out that John 17:17 literally reads, “if any man is willing to do His (God’s) will, he shall know.” He says of John 7 that “the leaders did not understand Jesus’ teachings (because) they had stubborn wills and would not submit to Him.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan says, “When men are wholly, completely consecrated to the will of God and want to do that above everything else, then they find out that Christ’s teaching is divine, that it is the teaching of God.”
In verses 19-24, Jesus carries on a discussion with the religious leaders over the law. Jesus was accused of breaking the law for healing the paralytic man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. Jesus points out to them if the day to circumcise their sons fell on the Sabbath, they would go ahead and do it so as not to break the law. So if they were not to be condemned, then neither should He be for making a man completely well. He challenges them to “stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” While the religious leaders accused Jesus based on the law of Moses, Jesus in turn used the law to refute the argument against Him.
Warren Wiersbe adds that “if we really seek God’s will, then we will not worry over who gets the glory. All truth is God’s truth, and God alone desires the glory for what He has taught us.” The religious leaders were prideful and desired to receive all the attention. They wanted to be “right” in their own eyes and in the eyes of the people. I’m sure they did not like having their argument refuted with the same law they were using to make the accusation in the first place. Sometimes we share our knowledge of Scripture with others in the hopes of trying to direct them back into God’s will. This should not be done out of pride simply to be “right”, but to allow God’s Word to receive the glory for bringing truth to a person’s life. I needed this reminder as there have been times when I’ve shared the truth of Scripture with others and when they chose to follow it I was pleased that I had been right. My heart attitude should simply have been pleasure that God’s truth was revealed and followed by a fellow brother or sister in the Lord.
As Jesus continued His teaching the people’s amazement began to turn to shock that He was being allowed to continue to say such things publicly. The people began to wonder why the authorities were not stopping Him and if this meant He was the Messiah. Although Jesus spoke with authority and no one was contradicting Him, the people were confused because they knew Jesus’ background and couldn’t believe that He could possibly be the Messiah. Jesus tells them that although they know Him, they do not know the Father. This angered the leaders for Jesus was accusing them of not knowing God.
The leaders got together and planned to seize Jesus. The people, however, began to put their faith in Him. As the leaders began to become aware of the people’s whisperings about Jesus, they sent guards to arrest Him. Jesus continued speaking - telling the people that He would remain on earth for only a short time. This confused the people. On the final day of the feast, Jesus revealed the hope that He promises to all - “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (vv. 37-38).
Jesus uses the ordinary symbol of water to illustrate the blessing that is to come. Warren Wiersbe reminds us that water in the Bible often is a symbol for the spirit. Just as water satisfies thirst and produces fruitfulness, so the spirit of God satisfies the inner person and enables us to bear fruit. While Jesus remained on earth, God’s Spirit was present in the world. It was only after Christ’s death that the Spirit would become an indwelling presence in people’s lives.
At these words, some people believed that Jesus was the Prophet and others that He was the Christ. The guards that had been sent to arrest Jesus didn’t lay a hand on Him. When they were questioned by the Pharisees, they said that no one had ever spoken the way Jesus did. Wiersbe says, “they were ‘arrested’ by the Word of God, spoken by the Son of God.” The Pharisees felt that the guards must have been deceived by Jesus and that the crowds must have a curse on them. At this time Nicodemus comes forward and speaks on behalf of Jesus. He encourages the Pharisees to consider Jesus’ word and His works. Wiersbe writes, “the miracles point to the messages, and the messages interpret the spiritual meaning of the miracles.” The Pharisees did not want to admit that Nicodemus was right and said that a prophet does not come from Galilee.
I find it sad in itself that the Pharisees chose not to believe in Christ due to their own pompous and arrogant ways. But what is even sadder is that they influenced others away from Christ. Woe to the one who keeps others from knowing the life-giving hope that Jesus offers. As a parent, it is my main task to lead my children to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe one day I will be held accountable for how well I did with this task. My children will make their own choices of course, but should they choose to not follow Christ, it will be in spite of our efforts. I am also reminded that if I am to lead others to the life-giving waters of Christ, then I must be cautious in the way I live. I must not be a hypocrite like the Pharisees, but live a life of service and compassion. I cannot do this on my own, so I do my best to fill up on the living water offered by the Father through His Word.
The Harvest study ends with this, “Human beings are capable of going for long periods of time without the satisfaction that comes through enjoying food - creature comforts - physical pleasure - goals achieved - happiness, etc. But the human body cannot exist for very long without water. Jesus issues the invitation to all who seek to satisfy a thirsty soul: ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’ What is it you are thirsty for? Try to identify it. . . And then realize you won’t find your satisfaction in anything the world has to offer. Your true satisfaction and fulfillment in life will only be found in drinking deeply of Jesus. As you seek Him, out of your heart will flow rivers of living water to quench the thirst of those around you who need Him too! Think about it.”
Jesus told His brothers that it was not the right time for Him to go. He was on a divine time table set for Him by the Father. It was right for the brothers to go to the Feast because they were following tradition - it was expected of them and they were not a threat to anyone. Jesus, however, was hated because His teaching challenged people to live righteously. He called sin what it was - sin; and the world hated Him for it. Therefore, He could not go to the Feast publicly because others wanted to kill Him.
The beginning part of the chapter shows us that “it requires spiritual discernment to know God’s timing.” (Warren Wiersbe) Often we are faced with important decisions and it is sometimes difficult to know when and if we should move on something. It is important for us to seek the Lord’s wisdom by studying His Word and talking to Him in prayer. First and foremost, if a choice goes against God’s principles, then it is not one we should make. If we are not feeling at peace about a choice, then that is also a good indication that either the choice is not right or it’s the wrong time to choose it.
After the brothers left, Jesus did go to the Feast, but secretly. While the Jews were seeking Him, there was much discussion about Him. Some said He was a good man and others said He deceived the people. Jesus’ character was the topic of discussion. Either he was what He claimed to be or He was a liar. All this discussion was done quietly among the people as no one wanted to speak openly for fear of what the Jewish religious leaders might do to them.
This chapter reveals that Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe in Him; that the people were only impressed with His miracles and did not receive His message; and fear kept people from speaking positively about Him.
The Feast of Tabernacles took place in the seventh calendar month and lasted for seven days. The people would build wooden booths with thatched roofs and live in them to remember the forty years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. In the middle of the Feat, Jesus went to the temple courts to teach. The religious leaders were amazed by His teaching “because He did not have any credentials from their approved rabbinical schools” and He claimed His doctrine came from God. This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 50:4 which says “the Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue.”
Warren Wiersbe, in his New Testament commentary, points out that “Jesus rightly could claim absolute authority for everything He taught.” Pastors today can claim the Bible’s authority, but not necessarily their own interpretations of it. One way we can determine if Jesus’ teaching is the truth is “by obeying what He tells us to do. God’s Word proves itself true to those who will sincerely do it.” E. W. Robertson says that “obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.” Wiersbe also points out that John 17:17 literally reads, “if any man is willing to do His (God’s) will, he shall know.” He says of John 7 that “the leaders did not understand Jesus’ teachings (because) they had stubborn wills and would not submit to Him.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan says, “When men are wholly, completely consecrated to the will of God and want to do that above everything else, then they find out that Christ’s teaching is divine, that it is the teaching of God.”
In verses 19-24, Jesus carries on a discussion with the religious leaders over the law. Jesus was accused of breaking the law for healing the paralytic man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. Jesus points out to them if the day to circumcise their sons fell on the Sabbath, they would go ahead and do it so as not to break the law. So if they were not to be condemned, then neither should He be for making a man completely well. He challenges them to “stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” While the religious leaders accused Jesus based on the law of Moses, Jesus in turn used the law to refute the argument against Him.
Warren Wiersbe adds that “if we really seek God’s will, then we will not worry over who gets the glory. All truth is God’s truth, and God alone desires the glory for what He has taught us.” The religious leaders were prideful and desired to receive all the attention. They wanted to be “right” in their own eyes and in the eyes of the people. I’m sure they did not like having their argument refuted with the same law they were using to make the accusation in the first place. Sometimes we share our knowledge of Scripture with others in the hopes of trying to direct them back into God’s will. This should not be done out of pride simply to be “right”, but to allow God’s Word to receive the glory for bringing truth to a person’s life. I needed this reminder as there have been times when I’ve shared the truth of Scripture with others and when they chose to follow it I was pleased that I had been right. My heart attitude should simply have been pleasure that God’s truth was revealed and followed by a fellow brother or sister in the Lord.
As Jesus continued His teaching the people’s amazement began to turn to shock that He was being allowed to continue to say such things publicly. The people began to wonder why the authorities were not stopping Him and if this meant He was the Messiah. Although Jesus spoke with authority and no one was contradicting Him, the people were confused because they knew Jesus’ background and couldn’t believe that He could possibly be the Messiah. Jesus tells them that although they know Him, they do not know the Father. This angered the leaders for Jesus was accusing them of not knowing God.
The leaders got together and planned to seize Jesus. The people, however, began to put their faith in Him. As the leaders began to become aware of the people’s whisperings about Jesus, they sent guards to arrest Him. Jesus continued speaking - telling the people that He would remain on earth for only a short time. This confused the people. On the final day of the feast, Jesus revealed the hope that He promises to all - “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (vv. 37-38).
Jesus uses the ordinary symbol of water to illustrate the blessing that is to come. Warren Wiersbe reminds us that water in the Bible often is a symbol for the spirit. Just as water satisfies thirst and produces fruitfulness, so the spirit of God satisfies the inner person and enables us to bear fruit. While Jesus remained on earth, God’s Spirit was present in the world. It was only after Christ’s death that the Spirit would become an indwelling presence in people’s lives.
At these words, some people believed that Jesus was the Prophet and others that He was the Christ. The guards that had been sent to arrest Jesus didn’t lay a hand on Him. When they were questioned by the Pharisees, they said that no one had ever spoken the way Jesus did. Wiersbe says, “they were ‘arrested’ by the Word of God, spoken by the Son of God.” The Pharisees felt that the guards must have been deceived by Jesus and that the crowds must have a curse on them. At this time Nicodemus comes forward and speaks on behalf of Jesus. He encourages the Pharisees to consider Jesus’ word and His works. Wiersbe writes, “the miracles point to the messages, and the messages interpret the spiritual meaning of the miracles.” The Pharisees did not want to admit that Nicodemus was right and said that a prophet does not come from Galilee.
I find it sad in itself that the Pharisees chose not to believe in Christ due to their own pompous and arrogant ways. But what is even sadder is that they influenced others away from Christ. Woe to the one who keeps others from knowing the life-giving hope that Jesus offers. As a parent, it is my main task to lead my children to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe one day I will be held accountable for how well I did with this task. My children will make their own choices of course, but should they choose to not follow Christ, it will be in spite of our efforts. I am also reminded that if I am to lead others to the life-giving waters of Christ, then I must be cautious in the way I live. I must not be a hypocrite like the Pharisees, but live a life of service and compassion. I cannot do this on my own, so I do my best to fill up on the living water offered by the Father through His Word.
The Harvest study ends with this, “Human beings are capable of going for long periods of time without the satisfaction that comes through enjoying food - creature comforts - physical pleasure - goals achieved - happiness, etc. But the human body cannot exist for very long without water. Jesus issues the invitation to all who seek to satisfy a thirsty soul: ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’ What is it you are thirsty for? Try to identify it. . . And then realize you won’t find your satisfaction in anything the world has to offer. Your true satisfaction and fulfillment in life will only be found in drinking deeply of Jesus. As you seek Him, out of your heart will flow rivers of living water to quench the thirst of those around you who need Him too! Think about it.”
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