Jonathan on 14 April 2005

Scripture
John 7:7
7On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says." 39(He said this
in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

Observation
Jesus is at the early stages of his ministry. He lingers quietly on the sidelines, not wishing to draw any attention to himself. No one, not even his brothers, are sure who he really is, and as he teaches, nobody understands a thing. Finally on the last day of the feast, Jesus makes this proclamation and his words polarizes the rest of the people to those who believe him to be a criminal, just another prophet, or the true messiah.

Application
I find this passage speaks to me in two ways. Firstly, I'm challenged to match myself up against Jesus, to see if I dare to be as irrelevant as him. He speaks with confidence (just like Peter and John in Acts 7) though he may not be very educated. I'm usually too concerned about what others think and keep silent about what Jesus is all about and why humanity needs him so. At the other times I'm too tired and prefer to linger at the sidelines till it's all over.

Secondly, the words point to my own insufficiency; I don't feel like I am brimming and spilling over with the living waters of the Holy Spirit. Am I not drinking from the source that Scripture speaks about?

Prayer
Father by the daily infilling of the Holy Spirit, make me more like your son Jesus, who walked the earth in strange ways , always a citizen of your kingdom, representing you in all your character. Amen