John 7 SOUGHT TO TAKE HIM. Why such hatred directed against such grace - When such blessing was dispensed in that very place? Why were they offended at the power of His words – When it was obvious that He was the Son of God? Why did they want to kill the Prince of Life – When He brought peace instead of strife? Why complain and murmur against the One who was truly good – When He met needs on every hand from healing to miracle food?
Why today such indifference to Christ who can satisfy – When He offers a full salvation that works and money can’t buy? Why is there antagonism against the One, men cannot see – When on the basis of simple faith, from sin we are set free? Why is there such resistance against the gift that He has given – When without it one is lost and never can be in heaven? Why after all these years do people refuse to believe – When eternal life is offered to all who Christ receive?
Why condemn such a One who has displayed infinite love – When on the cross He suffered that He might bring us to God? Why would one ignore truth seen right in front of your face – When the truth can set you free on the basis of simple faith? Why would one not come, drink and enjoy God’s Living Water – When the Spirit comes to indwell and one can know the Father? Why would one who has tasted and seen the Lord is good – Not walk in faith and obedience and want to please the Lord?
“I come to Thee Father God, to clearly state my absolute confidence in Thee and in the Lord Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. I do not deserve all the mercy I have received and the grace that provided such a living salvation – but I give Thee thanks from my heart Thou hast revealed Christ to me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
John 7:37-8:1 LET HIM COME UTO ME Many people are conscious of something lacking in their lives and they don't know where to look or what to look for to satisfy themselves. A lot look for pleasure but that fades so quickly that life becomes just a endless circle of seeking for more, and they have to keep on looking. Some seek that inward longing for fulfillment in fame, but even the most famous people are usually quickly forgotten after their brief moment in the sun of adulation dims and goes dark. The most sought-after form of satisfaction today is by means of material gain. People are looking for "things" but there is never enough. Materialism has become a religion to many. They love the challenge; they constantly think about what they can do and what they can get. It dominates their conversations, it is what they think about morning, noon and night, and it takes priority over everything else. And yet - no matter how much a person accumulates, they want more. This dissatisfaction is not new. It happened in Jesus' day. That is why on the last, the great day of the feast of Tabernacles Jesus told the dissatisfied, spiritually thirsty people to come to Him.
Jewish tradition says for seven days there had been a parade of priests who would go to the pool of Siloam and bring water to the temple, symbolizing the water that followed the nation of Israel in the wilderness when they were living in tents for forty years. Now on the last day of the feast when the sacrifices were made, the priests brought no water symbolizing the fact they had entered the promised land and a new day of full and plenty had begun. (It should be said here that others say a little water was brought only on the last day of the feast, but the symbolism was similar) Instead of people being spiritually satisfied and renewed, Jesus, who knew the inner longings of all mankind, made His public, passionate appeal to "any man" who was still thirsting after God, to come to Him.
The traditional forms had all been gone through for a week, and now it would be another year before this same feast would be held. Perhaps, as some traditionalists say, they had joined in the march around the altar seven times symbolizing the Jericho march of promise and victory when they finally got to their own land. When Jesus' voice sounded across the crowd of thousands of people, there were probably many who would say to themselves, "How did He know I still feel empty inside. How did He know what I am thinking?" How empty and unfulfilling the traditions of men are compared to the personal acceptance and knowledge of God. The loud voice of Jesus was calling them to come from the faded, and in part, false forms of man- made traditions to Himself. He is the Son of God. He is the Life-Giver. He is the Soul-Satisfy-er. He is the spiritual Thirst- Quencher. The call He made to "any man" was to come to God Himself. That is what we do when we publicly proclaim the Gospel. We are calling to people to come to Christ who said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
The general theme of the Bible is that mankind will find the need of their souls and spirits satisfied in a right relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. When that happens there is not only momentary satisfaction, but lasting satisfaction and peace that increases as time goes by. Not only will the one who receives the living water will be blessed, but through that person blessing can go out to others. The Holy Spirit came upon those who put their faith in Christ in the past, and empowered them to serve and enjoy God. Since the Lord Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again and ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit has come and now indwells all those who have come to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. From the Holy Spirit though us now flows rivers of living water to bring the blessings of the Gospel to the world.
Whenever God works in the Gospel, there will be opposition of some kind. Those who are interested in the "living water" so they will never thirst again, will find pressure against them from friends and sometimes family members. Those who are satisfied with the forms of their religion or their life-style, and do not want to be interfered with by a real, living, zealous Christian, will oppose the truths of the Gospel. Many are satisfied with half-truths and use biblical words to say what they believe is the same as what the Bible says. The Pharisees in Jesus day considered themselves to be superior in intellect and religious knowledge, as well as their station in life, to those from Galilee. Prejudice was rampant among their own people in the nation of Israel. Without even finding out what was right about Jesus, they condemned Him - overlooking their own laws which they professed to obey.
It is very significant that the men sent to arrest Jesus waited to hear Him speak before attempting to take Him. Perhaps they didn't know they were powerless against Him because His "hour was not yet come." Instead they were blessed by hearing His words that were so different from anything they had every previously heard, they had to say, "Never man spake like this Man." It seems like they realized His words had come from One who was more than just a man. The Pharisees and priests knew what those officers meant and challenged their intelligence by comparing Jesus with themselves. Deliberate spiritual blindness is often recognized by words like, "I think...," or I have always said...," or "I don't agree with that...," and similar such phrases. Such people think their opinions and ideas are as important as what God has said in His Word.
Thankfully there are men like Nicodemus who speak up, though cautiously, and point out how those of the Sanhedrin go against their own laws themselves and interpret the law to suit themselves. A challenge is not always needed in a dialogue with others. Sometimes an appropriate quotation of a verse of the Bible or a reasonable comment does as much or more to convict a sinner than an argument we might have and win. It is possible to "win the battle, and lose the war." Pride interferes with reason so that what is right is negated by that barrier of pride. To some people, what is good doesn't matter as long as they get their own way. We are wise when we allow the Spirit of God to guide our conversations and when we apply scriptural principles, and the words of scripture, to direct our comments. Confusion ended the confrontation of the Pharisees, but communion with His Father was what the Lord Jesus experienced on the mount of Olives. We must never let anything hinder our communion with divine Persons, no matter what people around might say.