A Drink For Your Thirsty Soul
by Pastor Andrew Wolfenbarger
05/12/2023
John 7:37-39 - "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
The feast referred to in verse 37 is sometimes called the Feast of Tabernacles (or booths). It occurred during the timeframe of late September and early October. It coincided with the harvest season which was a time of celebration and thanksgiving. The booths were temporary structures that people would live in for seven days. They were commemorative of those tents where God sheltered His people within the wilderness after the Exodus. They also symbolized the hope of dwelling with God when He establishes His Kingdom for all eternity. If you are searching for a holiday that we might associate it with, it would probably be Thanksgiving, but in a Coleman tent in your backyard. "The Feast" (as it was sometimes called) was a time of rejoicing and reflection upon all of God’s past, present, and future benefits. One prominent Jewish historian said of this feast, “the most joyous of all festive seasons in Israel was that of the 'Feast of Tabernacles.' It fell on a time of year when the hearts of the people would naturally be full of thankfulness, gladness, and expectancy.”
It was upon this occasion that Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” This was supposed to be a time of contentment and fulfillment, but Jesus said in essence, “how many of you are still lacking? How many realize that there must be more to it all than what you have now?”. Even when everything around us is perfect and all things are going smoothly, it is possible to find a deep sense of longing. This doesn’t mean that contentment is impossible or that we are destined to be miserable. It merely means that there is only One that can fill the deepest longings of a man’s soul. We may try and fill our desires with things that can pacify them for a time, but eventually, we will grow to seek more. I believe that this passage (and many others) teach that our contentment is directly linked to our relationship with Jesus Christ. God has designed every man with a void that only Jesus Christ can fill. Other relationships, rituals, or mere religion may serve to be a drip upon a parched tongue. Only Jesus can satisfy this thirst completely.
Hebrews 13:5 - “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Philippians 4:11-13 - “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Have there been times when you attempted to satisfy your longings with things besides the Lord Jesus?
Have you discovered that rituals and routines of religion have left you still hungry to experience a true stirring of God in your life?
Have you ever been able to sing “Christ is All I Need” with a heart full of conviction and faith?
05/12/2023
John 7:37-39 - "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
The feast referred to in verse 37 is sometimes called the Feast of Tabernacles (or booths). It occurred during the timeframe of late September and early October. It coincided with the harvest season which was a time of celebration and thanksgiving. The booths were temporary structures that people would live in for seven days. They were commemorative of those tents where God sheltered His people within the wilderness after the Exodus. They also symbolized the hope of dwelling with God when He establishes His Kingdom for all eternity. If you are searching for a holiday that we might associate it with, it would probably be Thanksgiving, but in a Coleman tent in your backyard. "The Feast" (as it was sometimes called) was a time of rejoicing and reflection upon all of God’s past, present, and future benefits. One prominent Jewish historian said of this feast, “the most joyous of all festive seasons in Israel was that of the 'Feast of Tabernacles.' It fell on a time of year when the hearts of the people would naturally be full of thankfulness, gladness, and expectancy.”
It was upon this occasion that Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” This was supposed to be a time of contentment and fulfillment, but Jesus said in essence, “how many of you are still lacking? How many realize that there must be more to it all than what you have now?”. Even when everything around us is perfect and all things are going smoothly, it is possible to find a deep sense of longing. This doesn’t mean that contentment is impossible or that we are destined to be miserable. It merely means that there is only One that can fill the deepest longings of a man’s soul. We may try and fill our desires with things that can pacify them for a time, but eventually, we will grow to seek more. I believe that this passage (and many others) teach that our contentment is directly linked to our relationship with Jesus Christ. God has designed every man with a void that only Jesus Christ can fill. Other relationships, rituals, or mere religion may serve to be a drip upon a parched tongue. Only Jesus can satisfy this thirst completely.
Hebrews 13:5 - “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Philippians 4:11-13 - “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Have there been times when you attempted to satisfy your longings with things besides the Lord Jesus?
Have you discovered that rituals and routines of religion have left you still hungry to experience a true stirring of God in your life?
Have you ever been able to sing “Christ is All I Need” with a heart full of conviction and faith?
Posted in Living for God, Relationship with Christ
Posted in John 7, contentment, fulfillment, satisfy
Posted in John 7, contentment, fulfillment, satisfy
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