WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.559 So, John chapter 7, and we left off last Sunday in about verse 32. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:19.559 I'm just going to... 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.320 So, we made it down to verse 32, and as we got there, we saw that things were starting 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:42.240 to really heat up between Jesus and the crowd that was gathered. 00:00:42.519 --> 00:00:49.480 Jesus is in the temple courts, and he's teaching the many who have come to gather for the Jewish 00:00:49.480 --> 00:00:54.519 Festival of Tabernacles, and we saw last Sunday how there was quite a combination of responses 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:56.939 within the crowd to Jesus. 00:00:56.939 --> 00:01:04.700 Verse 30, at this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:05.840 hour had not yet come. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:08.459 Still many in the crowd believed in him. 00:01:08.539 --> 00:01:15.599 They said, when the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man? 00:01:16.759 --> 00:01:18.420 The implied answer, I don't think so. 00:01:18.479 --> 00:01:19.519 He must be the one. 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:24.819 So, some are looking to get Jesus arrested, while others are expressing confidence and 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:26.439 faith that he's the Messiah. 00:01:26.939 --> 00:01:33.640 Verse 32, the Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:39.299 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:46.599 So, the Pharisees, some of them are here in the crowd, listening to all that Jesus is saying. 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:50.759 They're hearing all the whisperings of the people in the crowd. 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:56.620 They're hearing some of those people who are saying, look, here he is, and the religious 00:01:56.620 --> 00:01:58.500 leaders aren't saying a word to him. 00:01:58.780 --> 00:02:01.400 Maybe they've concluded that he is the Messiah. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:09.620 And the Pharisees who are here listening to this, they go back to the chief priests, the leaders 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:11.219 of the Pharisees. 00:02:11.540 --> 00:02:16.400 And in turn, the temple guards are sent out to arrest Jesus. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:22.659 The word for guards, in the original language, it's kind of like our word for attendance. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:28.259 From what we know, these men were descended from Levi, just like the priests and everyone 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:31.780 else who served in and around the temple were supposed to be. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:36.620 So, when you hear guards or temple police, as some translations say, it's probably best 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:43.400 not to think of them as thugs with shields and spears or as rent-a-cops or as, you know, 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:49.960 the British royal guard with those big black fair-fur caps just standing motionless at the entrance 00:02:49.960 --> 00:02:50.719 all day long. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:55.180 Exactly what these guards did, we don't know all the details. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:00.180 But they seem to take direction from the chief priests and religious leaders, and they seem 00:03:00.180 --> 00:03:06.219 to be mainly employed in matters related to the Jewish law, enforcing that, and keeping 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:07.240 order at the temple. 00:03:07.980 --> 00:03:12.740 So, the religious leaders, they're thinking, all right, this has gone far enough, this is 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:13.620 getting out of hand. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:16.520 Jesus is beginning to sway some of the people here. 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:18.939 We've got to put a stop to this. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:21.040 We've got to bring Jesus in. 00:03:21.600 --> 00:03:25.219 So, they send the temple guards out to arrest Jesus. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:27.719 So, what happens next? 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:33.840 Well, John, the one who is telling the story here, decides to hold us in suspense for just 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:34.419 a little bit. 00:03:34.620 --> 00:03:39.599 Instead of telling us right away, he flips back to what's, back to Jesus and what's going 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:43.460 on in the temple courts, I think probably while all this is happening. 00:03:44.579 --> 00:03:45.419 Jesus said, 00:03:45.419 --> 00:04:03.399 It's kind of a mysterious thing to say, isn't it? 00:04:04.399 --> 00:04:08.919 Almost like something out of a movie that gets said before the main character goes into hiding. 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:10.839 Jesus says, 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:15.079 My time with you is short, and then I'm going to the one who sent me. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:19.979 Of course, because we've been listening closely and following along with the story, we know 00:04:19.979 --> 00:04:20.919 what Jesus means. 00:04:21.019 --> 00:04:25.539 We know he means, I'm going to my Father, to God. 00:04:26.599 --> 00:04:27.060 He says, 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:29.599 You will look for me, but you will not find me. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:33.640 Where I am going, you cannot come. 00:04:34.820 --> 00:04:38.780 And of course, the big question on everyone's mind is, well, where is that? 00:04:39.460 --> 00:04:41.060 Where are you talking about? 00:04:41.960 --> 00:04:42.800 Verse 35, 00:04:42.800 --> 00:05:05.819 So the crowd is perplexed by this. 00:05:06.580 --> 00:05:12.680 They can't seem to imagine that there's anywhere Jesus could go or hide where somebody wouldn't 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:14.759 be able to find him or follow him. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:21.160 Some of them are speculating that maybe he even has plans to get out of the country, go 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:25.540 traveling abroad, though even this idea seems unlikely. 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:30.800 I mean, surely he wouldn't go and teach the Greeks, would he? 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:34.480 What else could he possibly mean? 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:36.960 Where I am, you cannot come. 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:39.220 You will not find me. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:46.440 So Jesus tells him that he's soon to leave, to go away, and the crowd is kind of baffled 00:05:46.440 --> 00:05:47.540 by his words. 00:05:49.140 --> 00:05:50.440 Verse 37, 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:57.660 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 00:05:57.900 --> 00:06:02.840 Now before I read it, let's just notice that there does seem to be a shift in the narrative 00:06:02.839 --> 00:06:03.219 here. 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:07.879 And we're kind of left to wonder, is this a different day than the day that the guards 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:09.560 were sent to arrest Jesus? 00:06:10.099 --> 00:06:12.539 Or is this the same day? 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:17.219 Is it that they went and Jesus was already gone for the day and they came back the next 00:06:17.219 --> 00:06:18.979 day, the last day of the festival? 00:06:20.239 --> 00:06:24.159 Or is this all happening on the same day and John's kind of shuffling things around, trying 00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:28.839 to bring it all together, things that are all in motion at once and help us see how this 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:30.519 all came to a head on the last day? 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:35.259 Again, is Jesus in the temple courts still? 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:38.279 Or has he moved to another spot? 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:40.759 It's not clearly spelled out in detail. 00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:43.819 But whatever the case, the guards are still there. 00:06:44.179 --> 00:06:50.039 They're on their mission to arrest Jesus, to bring him to the religious leaders. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:55.239 And John wants us to know that this is happening on the final day of the festival. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:07:01.620 So on the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 00:07:02.900 --> 00:07:07.379 Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:17.199 Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:17.519 them. 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:20.879 Can you feel this moment? 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:26.040 Can you feel the impact of these words on the crowd that has gathered? 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:28.939 These are quite the words. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:32.959 They remind us of his conversation with the woman at the well. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:39.420 He talks about being thirsty, about getting a drink from him, about living water. 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:45.319 And of course, if we've been listening carefully, we know Jesus is not just talking about physical, 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:46.360 tangible water. 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:49.980 His words obviously have a deeper meaning. 00:07:51.400 --> 00:07:58.160 Rivers of living water will flow from within the person who believes in me, he says. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:01.080 What does Jesus mean by that? 00:08:02.840 --> 00:08:08.160 Thankfully, John, the one who has written all this down for us, the one telling the story, 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:13.480 he knows that there's some of us reading who probably need a little help here to understand 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.340 what Jesus is talking about. 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:18.119 So he explains it in verse 39. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:27.179 By this, he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:34.620 Up to that time, the Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:40.720 So Jesus is talking in metaphor, maybe about something that none of us would have really guessed, 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:45.159 unless we had John's help or had been there to ask Jesus about it. 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:48.839 So what's all this about? 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:58.279 Well, D.A. Carson, a Bible commentator, had some helpful thoughts here for me this week. 00:08:58.679 --> 00:09:05.079 He reminded me in his commentary that this was the festival of tabernacles, the festival of booths. 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:12.580 Now, there's lots that we could dig into about the festival, but one of the things that Carson pointed out to me is that 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:16.520 it was a time in which they remembered their journeys through the wilderness. 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:25.699 During that festival, they were actually supposed to set up tents, little tabernacles, and live in them for several days. 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:36.100 It was kind of a way for them to reflect back on how God had led their forefathers through the desert from Egypt into the Promised Land. 00:09:37.180 --> 00:09:44.680 And so part of the focus of the festival was on how God provided for the Israelites long ago in the wilderness. 00:09:45.520 --> 00:09:54.300 He provided manna for them to eat when they were hungry, and he provided water for them to drink when they were thirsty. 00:09:54.299 --> 00:10:03.339 Water was scarce in the desert, and thirst was felt pretty intensely by the people at many of the places they camped, 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:07.419 because some of the places had very little water or even no water. 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:13.259 I just read this past week how God led them to a place where there was no water at all, 00:10:13.699 --> 00:10:21.479 and then miraculously provided a flow of water to quench the thirst of the whole nation from a rock. 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:29.039 And not only this, but apparently there were also some traditions, I didn't know about this before, 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:33.320 that the Jewish people had at this festival pertaining to water. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:41.080 According to Carson, on the last day of the festival, they would fill a golden flagon, like a golden jug, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:47.399 with water from the Pool of Siloam, and then they would have this procession up to the temple 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:50.340 with the high priest kind of leading them. 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:56.860 And when they entered in through the water gate, there would be a sound of three blasts from the shofar, the trumpet. 00:10:57.720 --> 00:11:00.819 And then while everybody who was gathered there watched, 00:11:01.079 --> 00:11:06.039 the priests would kind of do a little procession with this water around the altar, 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:11.839 and the temple choir would be there, they'd be singing the Hillel Psalms, 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:13.759 the last psalms of the Book of Psalms, 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:16.299 and then at the end everybody would shout out, 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:17.799 give thanks to the Lord, 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:22.000 and the water would be offered along with the morning sacrifice. 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:27.399 Now this whole water in the jar thing was not prescribed in the Old Testament law, 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:31.559 but it was apparently something that they did to commemorate and to celebrate, 00:11:31.959 --> 00:11:37.019 to give thanks for God's provision of water long ago in the wilderness. 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:44.559 We could add to that understanding that there are also many places in the Old Testament scriptures 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:47.779 where God uses the language of water as a symbol of cleansing, 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:51.159 of giving renewal and life to his people, 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:54.039 and even of the coming of the Spirit. 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:59.939 The prophet Joel spoke of the day when the Spirit would be poured out 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:02.799 in the last days upon the people. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.299 And so taking all these things together, 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:10.019 suddenly we can get a bit of a sense as to why Jesus is suddenly talking about water. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:11.719 Why might he have said what he did? 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:18.459 This is a time in which traditionally thirst and water is very much on the minds of the people. 00:12:19.099 --> 00:12:21.319 Many of them have traveled from far ways. 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:26.220 They're not currently enjoying the convenience of their own well back home. 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:31.879 The festival marks a time in which their ancestors experienced thirst 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:36.379 and had their thirst quenched by God's gracious provision. 00:12:37.640 --> 00:12:43.320 And for those faithful few, there is a longing for God to fulfill that promise 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:47.700 and to pour out his Spirit as he said he would long ago. 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:54.180 Whether Jesus had already said some of these things or taught about these things, we don't know. 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:58.759 But this loud cry that he makes to the people didn't just come out of nowhere. 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:00.660 It's not totally without context. 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:07.740 Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:12.720 Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:17.240 rivers of living water will flow from within them. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:24.680 Jesus is calling anyone who feels that deep thirst within them, 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:29.920 anyone who has that longing for God to meet their deepest needs, 00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:33.620 he's calling them to come to him and drink. 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:39.040 To take his words into themselves to the deepest levels, 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:43.240 to believe them, to trust him. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:47.240 Whoever believes in me, says Jesus, 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:53.299 rivers of living water will flow from within them. 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:55.759 I love this. 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:59.720 Not just a river, but rivers, plural. 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:03.879 Not just any water, but living water. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:06.500 The water which gives life. 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:09.799 Not that stagnant stuff in the puddle over there. 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:17.340 But the clear, cool, refreshing, revitalizing water that comes from the mountains in the river. 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:24.019 And not just that these waters in the river will flow to them, 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:27.639 but that they will flow forth from within them. 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:32.740 Just as God's provision of water burst forth from the rock 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:35.200 to quench the thirst of the whole nation, 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:40.420 in the same way, rivers of living water will burst forth from inside you, 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:43.460 from the depths, and flow forth. 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:48.580 This is a pretty extravagant promise that Jesus is making. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:53.480 Perhaps you remember the words of David long ago in Psalm 23. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.480 He said, you anoint my head with oil. 00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:59.060 My cup overflows. 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:01.840 The cup is full, 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:06.879 and yet you continue to pour more blessing in until it runs over. 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:09.820 Jesus kind of blows that metaphor out of the water. 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:14.500 River, rivers will flow forth from within you. 00:15:16.260 --> 00:15:17.879 How is this possible? 00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:20.400 What does this mean? 00:15:21.520 --> 00:15:23.160 We're not the only ones wondering. 00:15:24.520 --> 00:15:27.040 John tells us that by this, 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.840 Jesus means the Spirit. 00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:32.660 The Spirit of God. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:35.540 God will give His Spirit 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:38.559 to dwell in you. 00:15:40.199 --> 00:15:42.120 And it's God's own Spirit in us 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:44.819 who will be the source of these rivers 00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:46.500 of living water, 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:47.839 which are flowing forth 00:15:47.839 --> 00:15:50.259 from the depths of our beings. 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:52.879 But John tells us 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:55.259 that the giving of this gift of the Spirit 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:57.059 to those who thirst 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:59.099 and come to believe in Him 00:15:59.099 --> 00:16:00.240 did not happen until 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.839 later when Jesus was glorified. 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:04.540 And we'll hear more about that later 00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:06.300 when we get to that in John. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.399 But now, 00:16:08.540 --> 00:16:10.860 John tells us about what the crowd is thinking 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:12.379 as they hear these words. 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.680 Verse 40. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.080 On hearing His words, 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.259 some of the people said, 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:20.560 surely this man is the prophet. 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.980 Others said, 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:25.220 he is the Messiah. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.840 Still others asked, 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:30.540 how can the Messiah come from Galilee? 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:33.019 Does not Scripture say 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:34.379 that the Messiah will come 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.279 from David's descendants 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.419 and from Bethlehem, 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.799 the town where David lived? 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:41.679 Thus the people were divided 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:43.179 because of Jesus. 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:46.459 Some wanted to seize Him, 00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:49.539 but no one laid a hand on Him. 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:51.699 So again, 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:53.879 we see further division within the crowd. 00:16:55.099 --> 00:16:56.299 Jesus cries out 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:58.199 with these wonderful words of invitation, 00:16:58.439 --> 00:17:00.120 these wonderful words of life, 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.360 come to me, 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.620 all you who are thirsty 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.440 and drink. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:05.559 Believe in me. 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:08.500 And the response is quite mixed. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.680 Some who hear this 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.359 seem convinced 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:13.279 that He is the prophet, 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:15.380 like the ultimate prophet 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.299 promised long ago 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.940 through Moses. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.339 They're thinking, 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.859 He does speak 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:21.339 the very words of God, 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:24.319 just like the prophets of old did. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.559 Others seem convinced 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:29.640 that He's the Messiah. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.420 They're thinking more 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:32.160 in terms of the ultimate king 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:34.460 that God promised long ago. 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:36.900 But then still others 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:38.180 are disagreeing with that. 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.180 He can't be the Messiah. 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.700 The scriptures say clearly 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.500 that the Messiah 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:45.040 will be descended from David, 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.840 will come from the village 00:17:46.840 --> 00:17:47.660 of Bethlehem, 00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:49.480 but this man is from Galilee. 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.400 And I can't help but think, 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:54.780 what the irony of this objection. 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:57.460 Again, it just goes to show 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.220 that this crowd 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.519 does not know Jesus 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.680 as well as they think they do. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.799 As the other gospel writers 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.619 make very clear, 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:06.000 He is in fact 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.899 a blood descendant of David. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.960 His whole genealogy 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.799 is listed out 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.399 in other gospels. 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.099 And He was in fact 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:15.160 born in Bethlehem, 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.680 a true history 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.960 which can be corroborated 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.759 by a whole bunch 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.119 of different witnesses. 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:22.839 Even though He now resides 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.479 in the north, 00:18:23.739 --> 00:18:24.379 in Galilee, 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.739 the scripture will be fulfilled. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.019 The scepter will not 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.159 depart from Judah 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:31.399 because Jesus is 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:33.459 of the line of Judah, 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.799 the tribe of Judah. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.479 He is a son of David, 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.319 the son of David, 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.779 just as the angel said to Mary. 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.959 So it was a mixed response 00:18:44.959 --> 00:18:45.579 from the crowd. 00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:46.079 And again, 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.500 Jesus tells us, 00:18:47.719 --> 00:18:48.819 John tells us, 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:50.619 that they wanted to seize Jesus, 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:53.919 but no one laid a hand on Him. 00:18:55.919 --> 00:18:56.480 Well finally, 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:57.319 let's find out 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.799 what happened 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.700 with the temple guards 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.179 who were also there that day. 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.759 Verse 45, 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.119 finally the temple guards 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:04.740 went back to the chief priests 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.839 and the Pharisees 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:07.159 who asked them, 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.059 why didn't you bring Him in? 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.799 No one ever spoke 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:15.240 the way this man does, 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:17.039 the guards replied. 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.679 I love that. 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.659 These guards 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:23.019 also heard 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.599 what Jesus said that day 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:26.519 when He cried out. 00:19:27.679 --> 00:19:28.559 I got thinking, 00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:28.859 you know, 00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:30.000 they could have given 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.119 a different reason here. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.779 They could have said, 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.759 well, we didn't arrest Him 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.399 because we thought 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.319 it might start a riot 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.179 and it looked like 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:37.279 many in the crowd 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.059 were believing Him. 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:41.139 They could have said that. 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.860 But no, 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:44.120 instead they chose 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.560 to say, 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.780 we didn't arrest Him 00:19:46.780 --> 00:19:47.980 because no man 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:49.160 has ever spoken 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:51.520 the way this man does. 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:55.120 They chose not to arrest 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.580 Jesus that day 00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:59.120 because they were listening 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:00.060 to what He was saying. 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:02.000 And maybe, 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:02.680 just maybe, 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.460 they had come 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.640 to believe in Him too 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.560 or were on their way. 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.400 I don't want to speculate 00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:08.100 too much, 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:09.419 but they seemed 00:20:09.419 --> 00:20:10.480 to regard Jesus 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.279 well enough 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.219 that they chose 00:20:12.219 --> 00:20:13.219 to defy 00:20:13.219 --> 00:20:14.599 the orders 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.659 of the ones 00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:16.399 who sent them. 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.559 Perhaps even knowing 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.199 that there could be 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:20.859 consequences. 00:20:22.939 --> 00:20:23.939 The response 00:20:23.939 --> 00:20:24.559 of the leaders 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.159 to this 00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:27.399 is very telling. 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.539 Verse 47, 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.099 You mean 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.659 He has deceived you also? 00:20:33.459 --> 00:20:34.939 The Pharisees retorted. 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:37.400 You can just hear 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.220 the frustration 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.240 leaking through. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.120 Blast you 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:41.940 good for nothing 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.720 temple guards. 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.680 You're useless. 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.580 So you've been brainwashed 00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:47.180 by this guy's teaching too, 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.799 haven't you? 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.799 It's almost like 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.840 they're trying to shame them. 00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:54.400 They go on. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:57.019 Have any of the rulers 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.240 of the Pharisees 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.200 believed in Him? 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.160 No. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.820 But this mob 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.839 that knows nothing 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.559 of the law, 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.240 there's a curse 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.659 on them. 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.980 You can just feel 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.819 the animosity, 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.779 the frustration 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.819 oozing out of them. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.939 You can hear 00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:16.099 the pride swelling. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.139 We're the rulers. 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:18.579 We're the Pharisees. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.439 We're the religious leaders, 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.279 the experts 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.919 in the law. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.539 None of us 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.460 has believed in Him. 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.439 You're just like 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.500 all those idiots 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.179 in the crowd 00:21:28.179 --> 00:21:29.059 who are completely 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.359 ignorant of the law. 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:32.719 they're accursed. 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.979 But perhaps 00:21:37.979 --> 00:21:39.119 unbeknownst to them, 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.979 there is one ruler 00:21:41.979 --> 00:21:44.439 who might be getting close 00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:46.199 or perhaps already 00:21:46.199 --> 00:21:48.099 believe in Jesus. 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:50.459 And at just the right moment 00:21:50.459 --> 00:21:51.379 he steps forward 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.099 just to show 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.979 actually there might be 00:21:53.979 --> 00:21:54.740 somebody here 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.879 among us 00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:56.539 who does 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:58.299 believe Him. 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.259 verse 50. 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.180 Nicodemus, 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:02.220 who had gone 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:03.240 to Jesus earlier 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.279 and who was one 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.419 of their own number, 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.659 asked, 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.559 does our law 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.339 condemn a man 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.700 without first hearing him 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.940 to find out 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.919 what he has been doing? 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.599 Very wise reply. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.899 Not only does he 00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:19.680 let the guards know 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.159 that, yeah, 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.359 there actually might be 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:22.119 someone from 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.859 among the leaders 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:24.480 who is not sure 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.039 that Jesus 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.039 is the bad guy, 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.980 but he also 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.920 calls the Pharisees 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.559 out on their 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.639 scheming here. 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.319 I mean, 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.139 you guys are thinking 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:35.200 here and acting 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.339 and treating him 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.319 as if he's already 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:37.940 been condemned, 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.819 as if the trial's 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.240 already been 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.039 taking place, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.139 the verdict 00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:43.180 is already decided. 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.119 When are we going 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.720 to have a proper 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.420 trial here? 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.200 And it's here 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.019 that the Pharisees 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.379 show their true colors 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:53.500 because 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.779 the crowd's not here, 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.379 this is just 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.500 an internal 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.220 meeting here, 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.759 the leaders 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.759 and the guards, 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:02.240 if they only 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.099 intended to bring 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.720 Jesus in 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.619 for a fair trial, 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.440 this was their 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.799 opportunity to say so. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.920 They could have 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.440 just said, 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.720 Nicodemus, 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:11.059 that's the very 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.799 reason we sent 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.180 the guards 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.960 to arrest him. 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:14.500 We wanted to 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.000 bring him in 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.559 so that we could 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.119 have a proper 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.839 hearing and get 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.359 to the bottom 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:17.920 of this. 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.759 But that's not 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.200 how they respond 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:22.019 or what they stay. 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.519 Instead, 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:25.539 they bark back 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.079 at Nicodemus 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.960 and shut him 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.400 down. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.339 Verse 52, 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.680 Are you from 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.359 Galilee too? 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.359 Look into it 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.220 and you will find 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.779 that a prophet 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.759 does not come 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.000 out of Galilee. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.599 We've got a little 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.259 bit of regional 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.700 tension going on 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:42.960 here. 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.079 Like, 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.779 what? 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.639 Are you a 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.420 Galilean too? 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.119 Another one of 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.920 those inferior 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:50.339 Galileans, 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:52.039 second-class 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.839 northerners, 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.480 do your homework, 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:54.879 bub. 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.119 Get your 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.859 scriptures out 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.519 and read them. 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.000 You'll see 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.879 there's no prophet 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.559 coming out of 00:23:59.559 --> 00:23:59.980 Galilee, 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.879 spoken of there. 00:24:03.459 --> 00:24:04.759 Just shut down. 00:24:06.439 --> 00:24:07.699 It happens today. 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.980 We hear about it 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.500 in the news 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.879 and it happened 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.740 back then too. 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.679 Nicodemus was 00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:14.939 just stereotyped, 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:15.579 insulted, 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:16.799 and cancelled. 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.599 Why? 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:18.679 Why? 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.099 I think because 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.759 his comment 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.839 hit a little 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.579 too close to 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:23.879 home. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.019 He knew that 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.519 what they were 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.539 planning was 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.119 not a proper 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.500 hearing or 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.159 trial for 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.519 Jesus. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.759 In their 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.199 minds, 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.259 Jesus was 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.819 already on 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.319 death row. 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.480 So the plot 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.039 thickens. 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.959 Just like in 00:24:40.959 --> 00:24:41.559 the days long 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:41.980 before, 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.699 the corrupt 00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:44.500 and wicked 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:46.359 rulers sent 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.659 in the 00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:47.899 enforcers to 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.359 go after 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.079 God's man. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.859 And again, 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.439 just like in 00:24:51.439 --> 00:24:51.759 the days 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.099 before, 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.039 God delivers 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.720 his anointed, 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.720 his chosen 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.119 one, 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.319 by turning 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.859 the very 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:59.199 hearts of 00:24:59.199 --> 00:24:59.539 the men 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:01.299 sent to 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.919 arrest him. 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.779 As hard 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.059 as the 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.699 religious leaders 00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:05.119 try, 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.299 they so far 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.299 are unsuccessful 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.119 in keeping 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.679 Jesus from 00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:10.439 speaking the 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:10.980 words which 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.480 God has 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:11.959 sent him 00:25:11.959 --> 00:25:13.059 to speak. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.220 And the 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:15.500 message of 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.459 God is 00:25:16.459 --> 00:25:17.159 ringing out. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.640 And while 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:18.880 there's 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.700 opposition to 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:19.940 it, 00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:20.580 and some 00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:21.300 do not 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:21.779 believe it, 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:22.140 some are 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.680 angry and 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.200 want Jesus 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.660 arrested, 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.580 some are 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.380 truly hearing 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.680 and they 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.060 are coming 00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:27.720 to believe 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.180 that Jesus 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:31.460 truly is 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.019 who he 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.440 says he 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.740 is. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.740 Well, 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.220 what's here 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.279 in all of 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.340 this for 00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:38.080 us this 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:38.420 morning? 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.400 I want to 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:40.720 point us 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.140 back to 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.200 these words 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:44.039 moments as 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.799 Jesus stood 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.340 and cried 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:45.700 out. 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.700 I want 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:47.940 you to 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.259 imagine 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.720 yourself 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.080 there in 00:25:49.080 --> 00:25:49.559 the crowd 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:51.580 that moment 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.240 as he 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.759 stood up 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.240 and cried 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.640 out, 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.680 let anyone 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.240 who is 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.720 thirsty 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.740 come to 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.880 me and 00:25:58.880 --> 00:25:59.299 drink. 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.480 Whoever 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.200 believes in 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.559 me, as 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.100 scripture has 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:03.420 said, 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.100 rivers of 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:05.880 living water 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.660 will flow 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.279 from within 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.580 them. 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:10.460 what kind 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.079 of response 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.599 is Jesus 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.279 looking for 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.799 from them 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.919 in this 00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:14.279 moment? 00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:17.119 It's the 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.819 same response 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.259 that he's 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.879 looking for 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:20.139 from you 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:20.500 and me. 00:26:22.439 --> 00:26:23.159 Are you 00:26:23.159 --> 00:26:23.519 thirsty? 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.399 Does your 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:27.759 soul thirst? 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.359 The truth 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:31.879 is that we 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.839 all thirst. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.559 We all 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.039 have deep 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.679 longings in 00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:36.240 our souls. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.819 we were 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:39.140 made to 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:40.180 thirst and 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.819 be quenched, 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.900 both in 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.400 the outward 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.240 physical way 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.759 and also 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.160 in the 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.440 inward way. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.019 And so 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.319 in some 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.660 ways the 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.099 question is 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.420 not so 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.839 much do 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.480 you thirst, 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.099 but how 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.440 do you 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:51.799 quench 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.559 your thirst? 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.420 What do 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:54.920 you thirst 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.680 for? 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.380 Long 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:58.839 ago through 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.279 the prophet 00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.799 Jeremiah, 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.359 God said 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:00.640 this, 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.039 he said, 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.819 this is 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.160 Jeremiah 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.079 2.13, 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.680 my people 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.180 have committed 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.039 two sins, 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:08.740 they have 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.279 forsaken 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:09.740 me, 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.339 the spring 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.180 of living 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.579 water, 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:14.319 and have 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:14.839 dug their 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.339 own 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.259 cisterns, 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:18.079 broken 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.839 cisterns 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.620 that cannot 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.099 hold 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.700 water. 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.160 This is 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.460 what the 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:23.819 wilderness 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.460 wanderings 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:24.799 were meant 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.279 to teach 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.680 them long 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.000 ago. 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:28.099 God led 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.680 them on 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.180 purpose 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.140 into places 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.559 where there 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.059 was no 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.480 water, 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.920 so that 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.259 they would 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.680 come to 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.740 see that 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.380 he is 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.880 the one 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.799 who can 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.180 quench 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.880 our thirst, 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.559 and not 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.120 just our 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.440 bodily 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:40.819 thirst, 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.220 but the 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.799 thirst of 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.660 our souls, 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.259 the deeper 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.880 thirst, 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:46.039 that deep 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.779 longing and 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.259 need that 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.740 we have 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.380 for life 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:49.380 in here. 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:49.420 water. 00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:53.660 God 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.560 himself is 00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:55.180 the spring 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.800 of living 00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:56.220 water, 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:58.460 but we 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:58.880 have this 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.280 bent 00:27:59.280 --> 00:28:00.440 called sin 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:00.840 where we 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.220 tend to 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.700 turn away 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.140 from him 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.740 and seek 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.240 our own 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.860 alternative 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.500 sources 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:07.300 which cannot 00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:07.920 even compare 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.380 to him. 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:11.080 which would 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:11.420 you rather 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:11.900 drink? 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.180 The fresh 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.120 clear flow 00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:14.460 of a 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:14.840 spring 00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.960 near the 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.300 base of 00:28:16.300 --> 00:28:16.720 a mountain 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:18.260 or that 00:28:18.260 --> 00:28:18.940 water that's 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.680 been sitting 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.240 there in a 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.720 cistern in 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.100 the ground, 00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:22.180 that broken 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.040 cistern that's 00:28:23.040 --> 00:28:23.660 cracked where 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.060 the water 00:28:24.060 --> 00:28:24.740 leaks out and 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.040 the dirt 00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:25.720 seeps in? 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.620 What do 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.120 you thirst 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.960 for? 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.400 What have 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.640 you been 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.220 trying to 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.760 quench the 00:28:33.760 --> 00:28:34.200 thirst of 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.740 your soul 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.440 with? 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:38.539 the 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.059 pleasures of 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.600 this world? 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.279 Stuff? 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.680 Money? 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.500 Netflix? 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:49.920 Facebook? 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.440 Food? 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.440 We were 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:56.880 made to 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.340 thirst for 00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:58.100 God himself 00:28:58.100 --> 00:29:00.019 just as our 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.480 bodies were 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.860 made to 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.279 thirst for 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.640 water. 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:02.860 We were 00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.180 made to 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.620 cry out 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.140 like David 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.519 did in 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:04.960 the desert 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.720 O God, 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.759 you are 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.400 my God. 00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:09.680 Earnestly I 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.440 seek you. 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.960 I thirst 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.500 for you. 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:13.600 My whole 00:29:13.600 --> 00:29:14.600 being longs 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.019 for you 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:16.160 in a dry 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.720 and parched 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:18.400 land where 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:18.900 there is no 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.279 water. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.200 The good 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.620 news of 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:24.539 Jesus is 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:24.940 not just 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:25.840 something for 00:29:25.840 --> 00:29:26.400 our heads 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:26.940 to believe 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:27.180 in. 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.420 It's not 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:28.759 just a 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.299 ticket to 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:29.759 hold on 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.160 to for 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.480 a later 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:30.980 time. 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.140 The good 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.480 news of 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.019 Jesus is 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.279 this. 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:34.420 God wants 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.140 to quench 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.000 the thirst 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.160 of your 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:37.560 soul. 00:29:38.560 --> 00:29:39.320 He wants 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:39.920 to provide 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.279 you with 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.740 that drink 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.160 that will 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:42.420 truly satisfy 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:43.440 and refresh 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.120 you and 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.900 give life 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.980 to you. 00:29:46.300 --> 00:29:46.800 And not 00:29:46.800 --> 00:29:47.160 just a 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.580 drop or 00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.900 two or 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.200 a little 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.720 cup that 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.019 will leave 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.400 you longing 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:51.860 for more. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.060 No, 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.420 he wants 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.779 to put 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.400 the fountain 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:53.880 of all 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.759 life itself 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:56.640 inside you. 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.420 He wants 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:58.860 to put his 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.640 own spirit, 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.580 the source 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.120 of life, 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:03.639 in you 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:06.159 and cause 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:06.679 his rivers 00:30:06.679 --> 00:30:07.399 of living 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:08.000 water to 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.699 flow 00:30:08.699 --> 00:30:09.519 forth 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.539 from inside 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:10.799 you. 00:30:11.439 --> 00:30:11.939 Are you 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:12.399 thirsty for 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:12.679 that? 00:30:13.979 --> 00:30:14.659 Do you 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.179 want that? 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:18.939 Then leave 00:30:18.939 --> 00:30:19.379 your broken 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.059 cisterns 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:21.119 behind 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.279 and come 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.859 to Jesus 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:24.500 and drink 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.500 what he is 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:25.959 holding out 00:30:25.959 --> 00:30:26.239 to you. 00:30:26.379 --> 00:30:26.799 Believe in 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.000 him. 00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:28.379 Listen to 00:30:28.379 --> 00:30:28.879 his words. 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.519 Take them 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.960 into your 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.339 heart. 00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:31.900 Follow 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.160 him. 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.680 Surrender 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.220 to him. 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:35.839 And this 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.559 extravagant 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.440 gift of 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.940 life is 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.319 yours. 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.579 This is 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:40.900 the good 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.339 news of 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:41.700 Jesus. 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.039 I pray 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.379 that we'll 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:45.920 believe it. 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.500 Father in 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:49.700 heaven, 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.240 we thank 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.480 you 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:53.680 that you 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.299 sent Jesus 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.900 into our 00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:55.279 world 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.519 to quench 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.900 our thirsts, 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:59.519 to give 00:30:59.519 --> 00:30:59.820 us the 00:30:59.820 --> 00:31:00.140 ultimate 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:00.600 gift, 00:31:00.800 --> 00:31:00.900 the 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.220 ultimate 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.640 drink. 00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:04.540 I pray 00:31:04.540 --> 00:31:04.880 that our 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:05.280 hearts would 00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:05.680 embrace 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.019 that. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.640 Lord, I 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:07.880 know in 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.180 my own 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.660 heart this 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.560 week, I've 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.560 found myself 00:31:10.560 --> 00:31:11.820 distracted and 00:31:11.820 --> 00:31:12.259 looking at 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.200 all kinds of 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.440 different things 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.320 going on around 00:31:15.320 --> 00:31:18.519 me, longing, 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:21.060 looking for 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:21.720 relief and 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.600 refreshment in 00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:23.560 these trying 00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:26.140 times, but 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.600 it's you. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.240 You're the 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:28.740 one that we 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.100 need. 00:31:30.800 --> 00:31:31.360 You're the 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.720 one who 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.400 quenches our 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:32.860 thirst so 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:33.140 that we 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.759 never thirst 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.120 again. 00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:36.780 Help us to 00:31:36.780 --> 00:31:37.220 see that. 00:31:37.300 --> 00:31:38.360 Help us to 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:40.840 cling to that 00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.400 truth in 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.780 these days 00:31:41.780 --> 00:31:43.340 ahead and 00:31:43.340 --> 00:31:43.780 to share it 00:31:43.780 --> 00:31:44.280 with others. 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:46.080 In Jesus' 00:31:46.300 --> 00:31:47.400 name, amen.