WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.140 Please join us there as we turn our attention to the study of God's word. 00:00:03.140 --> 00:00:07.379 John chapter 7, verses 37 through 39. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:15.439 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 00:00:15.860 --> 00:00:18.640 ! If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:00:19.260 --> 00:00:21.879 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:24.859 out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:27.339 Now this he said about the Spirit, 00:00:27.339 --> 00:00:30.339 whom those who believed in him were yet to receive. 00:00:30.859 --> 00:00:35.439 For as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:40.280 Our text this afternoon, you have to forgive me if I say this warning, 00:00:41.100 --> 00:00:46.340 records one of the many times that Jesus made invitations to any who would hear him. 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:51.280 J.C. Ryle, in his introduction to a sermon on these verses, stated, 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:51.840 quote, 00:00:51.840 --> 00:01:21.840 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:32.540 If we are to understand well the richness and fullness of the invitation of Jesus in this text, 00:01:32.740 --> 00:01:36.439 we are first going to need a bit of background. 00:01:36.980 --> 00:01:39.680 As we have been preaching a bit differently, 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:43.240 we've taken a break from going verse by verse by verse through a book of the Bible, 00:01:43.240 --> 00:01:50.040 and we're kind of skipping through the text and encouraging you all to join us in reading the Bible plan. 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:55.660 And one of the goals of that is to help you see how beautifully tied together the scripture is. 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:58.280 And this is one of those texts that helps us with that, 00:01:58.660 --> 00:02:06.980 helps us to see how significant Jesus' words were in light of what the Old Testament had to say about him. 00:02:07.100 --> 00:02:10.740 So for us to really get that, there's a couple of things we need to know, 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:12.020 some background information. 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:17.840 His original hearers would have fully understood, and we need a little time to catch up. 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:22.819 So first, concerning the timing of Jesus' invitation. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:26.620 The setting of John chapter 7, verse 37 through 39, 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:32.240 is in Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Booths, also called the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:36.500 The Feast of Booths occurred in late September to early October, 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:43.980 and was one of the three great feasts that all males, if they were able, were required to celebrate. 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:46.699 You can see Deuteronomy 16, 16. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:54.019 Josephus, the Jewish historian, referred to the Feast of Booths as the holiest and the greatest of the feasts. 00:02:55.019 --> 00:02:59.039 J.C. Ryle adds that Jerusalem was the metropolis of Judaism 00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:03.979 and the strongholds of priests and scribes of Pharisees and Sadducees. 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:10.060 So the religious elites are all gathered in Jerusalem for this feast. 00:03:10.139 --> 00:03:12.199 They would not have missed it. 00:03:12.799 --> 00:03:17.979 The Jewish historian, Alfred Eidersheim, writes that the Feast of Tabernacles 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:24.819 was the most joyous of all festive seasons in Israel, was that of the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:29.639 It fell on a time of year when the hearts of the people would naturally be full of thankfulness, 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:31.539 gladness, and expectancy. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:36.599 All the crops had been long stored, and now all fruits were also gathered. 00:03:37.139 --> 00:03:43.639 The vintage passed, and the land only awaited the softening and refreshment of the latter rain 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:45.799 to prepare it for a new crop. 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:50.519 It was appropriate that, when the commencement of the harvest had been consecrated 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:53.060 by offering the first ripe sheaf of barley, 00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:57.159 and the full ingathering of the corn by the two wave loaves, 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:03.039 there should now be a harvest feast of thankfulness and of gladness unto the Lord." 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:03.500 End quote. 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:09.519 The observance of the Feast of Booths combined the ingathering of the labor of the field, 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:14.240 the fruit of the earth, the ingathering of the threshing floor and wine press, 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:20.500 and the dwelling in booths or tabernacles, think tents, temporary shelters, 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:25.079 all of which was to be a joyful celebration for Israel. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:30.079 The booth in Scripture is not an image of privation and misery, 00:04:30.459 --> 00:04:35.319 but of protection, preservation, and shelter from heat and storm. 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:42.980 The rejoicing community included family, servants, widows, orphans, Levites, and sojourners. 00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:47.819 To summarize, the Feast of Booths was a time of thanksgiving for the harvest. 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:49.120 It was a happy time. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:53.360 Devout Jews lived outdoors in booths made of tree branches for seven days 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:57.939 as a reminder of God's provision in the desert during the wilderness wanderings. 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:01.899 Now, there were two practices that were not mentioned in Scripture, 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:05.620 but were included in the oral tradition passed on from Moses. 00:05:06.179 --> 00:05:09.560 This is historians inform us of this. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:12.759 One was the special commandment of the willow, 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:15.239 in which branches were cut and brought to the temple 00:05:15.239 --> 00:05:20.699 and laid around and over the altar to make a sort of booth for the altar. 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:25.959 Again, think of their sojourning in the wilderness and the tabernacle. 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:29.139 The other was the water libation. 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:33.000 Each morning there was a solemn procession from the temple mount 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:36.319 to the pool of Siloam for a pitcher of water. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:39.180 A priest would fill a gold pitcher with water 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:43.060 as the people sang together Isaiah 12 and verse 3. 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:45.879 So picture the people going into the temple, 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:47.399 laying these branches around, 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:51.819 and then going out, gathering this water from the pool of Siloam, 00:05:51.919 --> 00:05:55.459 and they would sing Isaiah 12, 3, which says this, 00:05:55.459 --> 00:06:00.639 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 00:06:01.539 --> 00:06:06.599 And they would go each of these seven days through this process in the morning. 00:06:07.479 --> 00:06:12.000 The procession would return to the temple mount with trumpets blasting and great fanfare. 00:06:12.599 --> 00:06:16.459 There the priest would pour the water into a silver basin by the altar of burnt offering 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:19.879 each day for the first six days. 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:24.579 On the seventh day, this is the, mentioned in verse 37, 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:28.459 the last day of the feast called the great day, 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:30.040 which is referenced in our text, 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:35.680 the water would be poured and the people would march around the altar seven times. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:39.699 They would move as a crowd around the altar seven times. 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:40.199 Why? 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:44.680 To remember the end of Israel's sojourning in the wilderness, 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:48.639 which was concluded with the battle at Jericho. 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:54.900 That marked the ending, their first conquest in the new land, right? 00:06:55.040 --> 00:07:02.220 So all of this is aimed at helping them both to remember and to look forward, 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:03.199 this entire feast. 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:07.939 So there's three directions the participants should have been pondering 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:10.720 when they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:13.680 Those directions were first backwards. 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:16.700 The feast looked back and reminded the people of God, 00:07:16.840 --> 00:07:21.340 how God had provided water from the rock during their wilderness wanderings. 00:07:21.700 --> 00:07:25.780 Exodus 17, 6, numbers 20, verse 8 and on. 00:07:26.540 --> 00:07:28.260 They were to look down. 00:07:28.700 --> 00:07:32.540 The feast looked at the present and praised God for the provision of the harvest 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:37.240 and most likely acted as a prayer for the coming year. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:42.600 See Psalm 118 and verse 25, part of the halal. 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:46.180 These were songs that were sung at the Feast of Booths. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:49.000 It was also meant to look forward. 00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:54.980 The feast also looked toward the future and spoke prophetically of the coming days of the Messiah 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:59.340 when God's blessing would be poured out on the nation. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:03.920 And we'll mention a little bit more about that here in just a bit, right? 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:11.100 So extremely significant what's happening in Jerusalem where Jesus is when he makes this invitation. 00:08:11.340 --> 00:08:14.540 Try not to forget some of those details that I've mentioned. 00:08:15.140 --> 00:08:22.340 The second bit of background information concerns Jesus' reference material for his invitation, right? 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:27.900 Again, remember, Jesus will say things in the New Testament that don't always strike a chord with us 00:08:27.900 --> 00:08:32.100 because we're less familiar with the Old Testament than we really ought to be. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:38.680 But there's a significant knowledge background for his original audience that we need to catch up to. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:44.340 His invitation is a direct reference to the book of Isaiah, chapter 55. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:47.440 He gathers some other bits of scripture together as well. 00:08:47.540 --> 00:08:48.340 We'll see soon. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:51.940 But specifically, Isaiah, chapter 55. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:56.720 But before I show you the reference, let's consider together the book of Isaiah 00:08:56.720 --> 00:09:00.519 to grasp the significance of that reference. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:08.500 The first 39 chapters of Isaiah are primarily about judgment due to the wickedness of the nations, right? 00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:09.519 God's judgment is coming. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:13.579 It's coming because of wickedness to this nation, to this nation, to this nation, to this nation. 00:09:14.079 --> 00:09:17.500 Though there are many glimpses of hope in these first chapters, 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:23.919 the book takes a very hopeful and significant turn in chapter 40. 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:32.279 The final 26 chapters are full of promises of salvation, which are centered on someone called the servant. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:39.860 In chapter 52 of Isaiah, we found out that the servant is God. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:46.759 He's described as, quote, raised and lifted up, Isaiah 52 and verse 13. 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:54.340 And this is the very same phrase in Hebrew that Isaiah uses to describe God in chapter 6 and verse 1. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:10:00.539 In chapter 53, we find out that the servant will bring salvation by hanging on a tree, 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:04.340 suffering and dying in the place of sinners. 00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:09.500 In chapter 54, we find out that the death and resurrection of the servant 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:13.419 allows God to offer us an eternal covenant of peace, 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:16.179 and we can live free from fear of judgment. 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:21.360 With all of this in mind, when you come to chapter 55 of Isaiah, 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:26.480 it should be understood that God will send his servant, who is God, 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:30.860 to save his people from the judgment of God. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:35.919 We are saved by God, from God. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:41.379 Isaiah 55 and verse 1, the beginning part of it. 00:10:41.479 --> 00:10:44.479 Isaiah 55 and verse 1 says, this is Jesus' reference. 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:50.339 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:56.079 This would have rang out for all of Jesus' hearers, right, 00:10:56.500 --> 00:11:00.019 in this presence at the Feast of Tabernacles, right? 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:05.240 It's a feast that's about celebrating this water, this provision, 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:08.759 and looking forward to the coming Messiah. 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:13.039 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:16.079 In our text, Jesus says, 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:22.100 if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:26.439 Now, remember all that I've said about the Feast of Booths. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:32.360 Jesus makes this invitation on the last day of the Feast, the great day, 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:35.700 and he cried out this invitation. 00:11:36.260 --> 00:11:40.460 The Greek word here translated cried means yelled. 00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:42.180 This is loud. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:44.980 This is forceful speech, right? 00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:48.420 He wants anyone who can hear him to hear him. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:50.220 This is not meek speech. 00:11:50.420 --> 00:11:54.200 This is loud, proclaiming this invitation. 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:57.780 And if you continue to read on in chapter 7, 00:11:58.560 --> 00:12:03.480 you will find this invitation causes controversy amongst the people. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:08.180 I would like to suggest to you something a bit beyond our text, right? 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:11.160 So this is a little theological imagination for you. 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:15.500 But that Jesus cried out this invitation in the temple, 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:18.559 perhaps as the crowd was silent, 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:24.860 as the priest was pouring the water into a silver basin by the altar of burnt offering. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:27.559 That it happened in this moment, right? 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:32.600 They're getting ready to march seven times around the altar, 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:36.279 and there's a silence that comes over this crowd. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:41.799 And it's during this that he yells out this invitation, right? 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:44.319 This is extremely striking. 00:12:45.339 --> 00:12:50.399 Now, this is not the first time that Jesus has used water to speak of having life in him. 00:12:51.099 --> 00:12:54.859 In John chapter 4, as Jesus meets at the well with the Samaritan woman, 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:57.199 he speaks of living water. 00:12:57.819 --> 00:13:00.579 And he later says in John 4, verse 13 and 14, 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:18.300 And in John chapter 6, verse 35, 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:19.680 Jesus says, 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:33.859 So this is not the first time that Jesus used water to speak of having life in him, 00:13:33.979 --> 00:13:37.939 but it certainly seems to be the most striking, 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:42.239 the most dramatic use of this type of language. 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:48.299 I hope that you will see the beauty of this invitation that he makes this afternoon. 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:55.679 The cry of Jesus is an invitation to the thirsty to come to him and to drink. 00:13:56.439 --> 00:14:02.019 I would like to make just two observations about this invitation for our consideration this afternoon. 00:14:03.099 --> 00:14:07.439 Number one, our soul's thirst. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.079 Our soul's thirst. 00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:15.599 Thirst is a craving, and it is a conscious craving. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:23.360 I don't know how often we really thirst in an age where you could turn on a tap and get limitless, purified water. 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:29.879 But consider the thirst of people who lived in a place where water was a scarce commodity. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:33.200 It was rare in a desert place, right? 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:38.060 There were wells dug, but it was work to go and get water. 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:42.379 And remember at this feast, they're remembering a time where they had no water, 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:47.579 and God miraculously on a number of occasions provided water for them. 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:53.459 This is such a fitting analogy for Jesus's original audience. 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:57.699 Can you remember a time that you were particularly thirsty? 00:14:58.219 --> 00:15:05.119 Maybe on a very hot day or after some hard workout or work out in the yard. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:08.960 However, thirst is something that we know about. 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:11.639 We're aware when we're thirsty. 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:14.080 It's something we're fully aware of. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:16.779 It's very difficult to ignore. 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:25.100 We feel it, and the more thirst increases, the more we seek out satisfaction for our thirst. 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:30.120 Now, of course, Jesus is not talking about physical thirst. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.399 What is it that he's talking about? 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:36.740 He's talking about a thirsty soul, right? 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.620 Our inner being. 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:41.579 We are embodied souls. 00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:47.459 So it's our very selves, right, crying out for something, right? 00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:53.699 We're longing for something beyond ourselves and beyond what this world has to offer. 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:56.100 A longing for deliverance. 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.900 A longing for hope. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.700 A longing for peace. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:01.460 A longing for forgiveness. 00:16:02.140 --> 00:16:02.879 For salvation. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:06.020 For liberation from the power of sin. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:14.759 If you are thirsting, anyone who is thirsting, anyone whose soul is parched, 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:17.100 that's where it all starts. 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:25.639 The salvation of our souls starts with this recognition, this craving for something else, 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:27.580 something more. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:34.879 People come to Christ because their souls are thirsty, and they recognize that they are thirsty, 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.060 and they hear the invitation, 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:42.859 if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:46.899 Are you thirsty this morning? 00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:48.919 Excuse me, there it was, this afternoon. 00:16:49.839 --> 00:16:53.939 Are you aware that you were made by God and for him, 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:59.599 and that you will have no soul satisfaction apart from Christ? 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:03.120 Go to him and drink. 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:06.920 Charles Spurgeon wrote this of this text. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.440 Drink. 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.900 That is not a difficult action. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.640 Any fool can drink. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:16.519 In fact, many are great fools because they drink too much of poisonous liquors. 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:17.839 Drink. 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.799 Thou can't surely do that. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:24.660 Thou hast only to be as a sponge that sucks up all that comes near it. 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:29.700 Put thy mouth down and suck up that which flows to thee in the river of Christ's love. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:33.540 Open wide thy soul and drink in Christ. 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:36.800 As the great northern whirlpool sucks in the sea, 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:40.759 if any man thirsts, let him receive Christ. 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:44.759 So there's this wonderful offer of the gospel, 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:48.560 this invitation that Jesus cries out to this crowd, 00:17:48.840 --> 00:17:53.420 if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.680 Second observation. 00:17:57.040 --> 00:18:00.640 Jesus himself satisfies the thirst of our souls, 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:03.440 and he does so abundantly. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.660 He does so abundantly. 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:11.700 Recall that Jesus is referencing Isaiah 55 and verse 1. 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:15.300 Let's compare the invitation of Isaiah 55 1 00:18:15.300 --> 00:18:19.300 with Jesus' invitation in John 7 verse 37. 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.519 Again, read this to you previously. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:25.680 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:29.460 Isaiah 55, the first part of verse 1. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:33.079 And then what does Jesus say as he references this? 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:37.700 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:42.539 Jesus declares that he is the water of Isaiah 55 1, 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:46.379 and that he will satisfy the thirsty soul. 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:50.000 And the satisfaction that he is talking about is not a fleeting, 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:52.140 not a temporary satisfaction, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:55.100 but rather a deep satisfaction, 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:57.500 an abundant satisfaction. 00:18:58.580 --> 00:19:00.100 Jesus goes on in our text, 00:19:00.260 --> 00:19:01.740 whoever believes in me, 00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:03.320 as the scripture has said, 00:19:03.780 --> 00:19:07.420 out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:10.940 First, let's understand that to drink of Christ 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:13.200 is to believe in him. 00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:16.259 He's using these phrases synonymously. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.680 Let me show you this from John 6 35, 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.080 which I read to you previously. 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.759 Jesus said to them, 00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:23.240 I am the bread of life. 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:25.100 Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, 00:19:25.300 --> 00:19:29.320 and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:33.019 He's using this language interchangeably. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:38.160 So we drink of Christ by believing in Christ, 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.559 believing in his person, 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:42.180 and believing in his work. 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:45.960 Believing that he is the servant of Isaiah, 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:48.099 sent by God who is God, 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:52.019 to save his people from the judgment of God. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:55.440 Jesus says that if we believe in him, 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:58.160 as the scripture has said, 00:19:58.779 --> 00:20:02.879 out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.440 Now know that Jesus' citation of the scripture here 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:09.559 is a composite statement from texts in Isaiah, 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:13.000 but also from Zechariah chapter 14, 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:15.440 and Ezekiel 47. 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:17.920 And both were texts that were read 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:20.279 on the last day of the Feast of Booths. 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:22.720 Maybe it had already been read 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:27.299 before Jesus stood and made this declarative invitation. 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:30.180 They were read out at this time. 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.779 And the Israelites believed 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.740 that at one of these times, 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:37.079 that it would happen on this last day of this feast, 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.859 when the Messiah had come, 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:41.779 that the foundation of the temple would split open 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:44.819 and water would come pouring forth from it. 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:47.099 They believed that this would literally happen 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:51.359 from a reading of Zechariah 14 and Ezekiel 47. 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:53.479 So let's read those. 00:20:53.699 --> 00:20:57.119 This context is extremely important. 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.599 So you can turn there if you'd like. 00:20:58.679 --> 00:21:01.240 Otherwise, you can just follow along as I read. 00:21:01.699 --> 00:21:02.799 Ezekiel chapter 47. 00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:04.859 This is verses one through six. 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:10.759 Remember here, the idea is that we come to Christ 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.599 when we thirst, 00:21:12.179 --> 00:21:15.339 and he abundantly satisfies our souls. 00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:17.319 Abundantly satisfies us. 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:20.240 Beginning of verse one, Ezekiel 47. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:23.399 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:26.759 and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:28.919 of the temple toward the east, 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.839 for the temple faced east. 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:34.359 The water was flowing down from below the south end 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:36.339 of the threshold of the temple south of the altar. 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.960 Then he brought me out by way of the north gate 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:41.179 and led me around on the outside to the outer gate 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:42.319 that faces toward the east. 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:45.939 And behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:49.500 Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:51.720 the man measured a thousand cubits 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.579 and then led me through the water, 00:21:53.919 --> 00:21:54.839 and it was ankle deep. 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.960 Again, he measured a thousand 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:58.159 and led me through the water, 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.399 and it was knee deep. 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.799 Again, he measured a thousand 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.859 and led me through the water, 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.500 and it was waist deep. 00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:06.720 Again, he measured a thousand, 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.740 and it was a river that I could not pass through 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.019 for the water had risen. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:12.299 It was deep enough to swim in, 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:14.779 a river that could not be passed through. 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.619 And he said to me, 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:18.559 Son of man, have you seen this? 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:21.359 Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.420 And if you go on, 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.759 you see that this river flows, 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.559 and it nourishes, 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.740 and trees come up, 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:28.019 and it makes salt water into fresh water, 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.599 and then fish at its side. 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.440 It provides, 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:34.779 and it provides abundantly for the land. 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.920 So that's the passage from Ezekiel. 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:38.680 One verse in Zechariah, 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:40.980 chapter 14 and verse 8. 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.740 On that day, 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:45.680 living water shall flow out of Jerusalem, 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.039 half of them to the eastern sea, 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:49.800 and half of them to the western sea. 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:53.800 It shall continue in summer as in winter. 00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:55.900 So a people who, 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.820 you know, water was life. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:23:00.019 Water itself was life. 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:00.980 It brought life. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.259 The ability to grow food 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:05.200 and have their living 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:07.559 came from water. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.059 And it's not an abundant source. 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.799 And there's these Old Testament passages 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.620 that talk about 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:14.079 the abundance of water, right? 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:16.519 Water that becomes so great flowing 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:18.819 that you can't pass through it. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:21.640 What is Jesus communicating? 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.160 What is it that he's trying 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.740 to get across to them? 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:27.400 He is the foundation 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.860 of the temple of God, 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:30.859 and he is the rivers 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:32.399 that will flow from it. 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:35.919 This is so striking a thing 00:23:35.919 --> 00:23:38.839 to be said at this time. 00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:40.039 He is the foundation 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.879 of the temple of God, 00:23:40.959 --> 00:23:43.079 and he is the rivers 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:45.519 that will flow from it. 00:23:45.979 --> 00:23:46.699 You recall, 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.179 only in John's gospel 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:49.539 is the record of Jesus 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:51.000 being pierced in the side 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.959 and flowing from his side 00:23:52.959 --> 00:23:54.839 is water. 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:57.039 Now, this likely happened. 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.179 There's some physiology 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:59.759 that goes on with that, 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:00.699 but it's not recorded 00:24:00.699 --> 00:24:02.220 in any of the other gospel accounts, 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.000 but it is recorded 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:05.179 in John's gospel. 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:06.599 Why? 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.639 As he records 00:24:08.639 --> 00:24:09.759 this invitation of Jesus, 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:10.859 I think he means 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.799 for us to see 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.839 the foundation of the temple 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:15.599 being split open 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:18.379 and water pouring forth 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.839 from it. 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:22.919 In a dry place, 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:24.220 rivers bring 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.599 abundant water. 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.299 The water does not have 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.059 to be drawn up 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.779 out of a well. 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.799 Sunk down, 00:24:31.959 --> 00:24:32.919 find the ground water, 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.240 drawn up out of a well 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.539 with great labor. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:39.039 Rivers bring to you water, 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.740 and all you have to do 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.299 is drink. 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:44.119 And Jesus is saying 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:45.180 there will not be 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.539 one river, 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.779 but there will be rivers, 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.139 right? 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:51.419 Abundant water 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:52.419 will flow. 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.960 All of this 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.940 speaking metaphorically 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:57.200 of our spiritual lives 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.799 in him. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.859 Jesus himself 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:01.180 satisfies the thirst 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.919 of our souls, 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:03.579 and he does so 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.960 abundantly. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.980 How is it that he 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:08.839 accomplishes this? 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.619 John tells us 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:11.759 in verse 39, 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.200 now this he said 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.920 about the Spirit, 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.420 whom those who 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.099 believed in him 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.059 were to receive. 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.339 For as yet the Spirit 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.039 had not been given, 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.879 because Jesus 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:23.299 was not yet glorified. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:25.319 He accomplishes this 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:27.180 by the Spirit 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.680 of Christ. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.680 We live beyond 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.259 Jesus' earthly ministry. 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.480 He has now 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.680 been glorified, 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.500 and Jesus gives to us 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.160 his Spirit 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:38.220 that we would have 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.299 abundant life 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.400 in him. 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:42.280 He awakens 00:25:42.280 --> 00:25:42.940 our souls 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:44.580 to our great need 00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:46.080 that we would go 00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:46.600 to Christ, 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.580 that we would believe 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:48.320 in Christ, 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.759 and then he gives us 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.640 himself 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:52.660 that we would have 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:54.019 abundant life 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.360 in him. 00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:56.920 Romans 8, 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.620 which Gary read 00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.720 for us previously, 00:25:59.060 --> 00:25:59.880 tells us that 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.900 the Spirit of Christ 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.880 frees us from 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.860 condemnation, 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:04.899 grants us righteousness, 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.679 gives us life 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:07.679 and peace, 00:26:07.979 --> 00:26:09.279 and enables us 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.659 to please God. 00:26:12.179 --> 00:26:13.619 So in summary, 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.859 our souls 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:17.199 thirst. 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.879 Every soul 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:20.399 is longing 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:22.539 to be satisfied. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.460 And I hope 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.039 that it's true 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.059 of all of us 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.519 this morning 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.099 that we have 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:27.019 found our 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.599 satisfaction 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.819 in Christ 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.539 because he is 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.799 the only thing 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.539 that will satisfy 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:33.720 this unquenchable 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.299 thirst 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:36.039 apart from him. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.659 Secondly, 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.539 Jesus himself 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.759 satisfies the thirst 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.399 of our souls, 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:42.279 and he does so 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.700 abundantly. 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.859 Now, 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.819 if you have not 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.619 found the 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.279 satisfaction 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.680 of your soul, 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.960 you may be 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.659 tempted to think, 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.779 I cannot go to 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:53.040 Jesus and drink 00:26:53.040 --> 00:26:54.940 because I am not 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:56.300 worthy. 00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:58.060 Praise God 00:26:58.060 --> 00:26:58.759 that Jesus' 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.420 invitation 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.900 is not conditioned 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:01.820 on your 00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:03.019 worthiness, 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.540 but on his 00:27:04.540 --> 00:27:04.940 ability 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.920 to satisfy 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:07.360 your soul. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.019 Listen to the 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.920 rest of Isaiah 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.920 chapter 55 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.160 and verse 1. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.480 We read the first 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.360 part a couple 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:14.860 of times. 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:15.800 Come everyone 00:27:15.800 --> 00:27:16.759 who thirsts, 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:18.259 come to the 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.720 waters. 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:20.420 We reread on 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.000 in verse 1. 00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:21.560 And he who 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.500 has no money, 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.240 come, 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.039 buy, 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:24.740 and eat. 00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:25.700 Come, 00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.519 buy wine 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.120 and milk 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:27.980 without money 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:30.000 and without 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.500 price. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.140 When we come 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.519 to Christ, 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.600 we have nothing 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.800 to offer him 00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:36.160 but our 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.960 spiritual poverty, 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.019 but our 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.200 thirst. 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.900 And he promises 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.380 in verse 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:44.880 37 and 38, 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:45.920 if anyone 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.640 thirsts, 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.440 let him 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.460 come to me 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.560 and drink. 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:50.380 Whoever 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.260 believes in me 00:27:51.260 --> 00:27:51.760 as the 00:27:51.760 --> 00:27:52.480 scripture has 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.840 said, 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.620 out of his 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.160 heart will 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.940 flow rivers 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.220 of living 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:57.600 water. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.020 So I hope 00:27:59.020 --> 00:27:59.540 this is true 00:27:59.540 --> 00:27:59.880 of you. 00:28:00.020 --> 00:28:00.400 I hope that you 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:00.840 will give some 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.980 careful consideration 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.060 to this striking 00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:04.340 invitation of 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.360 Christ this 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:05.860 afternoon. 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.660 You'll take 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.320 some time with 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:07.960 those application 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.960 questions to 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.960 think about what 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.800 this may mean 00:28:10.800 --> 00:28:12.500 for you today. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.059 But let's 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.859 conclude with a 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.619 prayer of 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.920 application and 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.420 a benediction.