On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (vv.37-39)
The Feast of Tabernacles lasted eight days. All through the first seven days water from the Pool of Siloam was carried in a golden pitcher and poured out at the altar to remind everyone of the water God miraculously provided for a thirsty Israel in the wilderness. It seems that on the eighth day there was no pouring of water – only prayers for water – to remind them that they came into the Promised Land.
What Jesus was about to say, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" was of great significance. For He boldly called the people to Himself to drink and satisfy their deepest thirst, their spiritual thirst. And sense there was no water being poured out on this eight day, Jesus was saying, "I have the water you’re looking for." This invitation was both broad and narrow. Broad because it said, if anyone. Meaning intelligence, race, class, nationality, or political party, did not limit it. Yet narrow because it said, if anyone thirsts. One must see their need. Thirst is not anything in itself; it is a lack of something. It is an emptiness, a crying need.
Jesus went on to explained what He meant by the metaphor of drinking. To come to Jesus and to drink (He who believes in Me) was essentially to put one’s faith into Him; to trust in, rely on, and cling to Jesus for both time and eternity. For the one who does believe in Him, Jesus offered a perpetual river of living water out of His innermost being. Essentially Jesus said, “Put your loving trust in Me, enthrone Me in your heart, and life and abundance will flow out.” Though no specific passage of Scripture is quoted, this would in fact be a fulfillment of such prophecies as that of Zechariah that one day a fountain would be open to the house of David, and living waters would go out from Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:1, 14:8); and of Isaiah that God would pour water upon the thirsty (Isaiah 44:3, 55:1).
This outflowing life and abundance comes in and through the presence of the Spirit in the life of the believer. This speaks of an experience that belongs to those believing in Him. The nature of that experience may differ among believers, but there is some aspect of it that is promised to all who will receive it by faith.
This outflowing life and abundance mentioned in our text could not come yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified – that is, glorified on the cross and through resurrection. This giving of the Holy Spirit for the people of God could not happen until Jesus completed His work at the cross and the empty tomb.
So there was a division among the people because of Him (v.43). During the days of His earthly work, Jesus divided people. People could not truly be of two opinions about Jesus, so some would be for Him while others would be against Him. The division didn’t come because Jesus spoke foolishly, or because He spoke on a theologically controversial topic. He spoke about Himself, the Messiah – and He spoke clearly, not in dark mysterious sayings, but truth. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
The Truth: “If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world can not accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:15-18)
