This Chapter introduces us to a further attribute of Christ’s character. That Jesus was the source of “Living water” The Samaritan women of Chapter 4 is first introduced to this spiritual source. “Jesus answered and said to her, if you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water”
To get a true perspective on the statement Jesus made in this Chapter we need to look into the setting for the occasion which was the “Feast of Tabernacles or Booths” This was one of the three feasts that had to be celebrated at Jerusalem.
Introduction and background
The chapters 7 to 11 mark the last days of Jesus’ ministry on earth, and introduces the period of conflict about His person and who He was. John records for us in John chapter seven that Jesus no longer walked in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him, Not that He had done anything wrong, but because of what He said and did. Because Jesus refused to abide by their man made traditions they felt threatened and were jealous of the authority He exhibited in His ministry. Matthew reminds us. “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Mat.7:24)
They were proud of their traditions even if it commanded equal or more status than Gods written word. They became spiritually blind to the essentials of their faith. Jesus said about them again in Matthew “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind, both will fall into the pit”. (Matt 15 14)
Many are like that today they hold on to tradition and religious trappings which are worthless and devoid of any merit toward salvation. But refuse to heed to Scripture and choose ignore because it does not fit into their religious beliefs, they want a designer God not one will highlight their short comings.
This is what the Jews were doing, they objected to Jesus words which were a rebuke to their traditions and religious chains which bound the people into spiritual slavery, Jesus words were to release from these chains, to set them free.
On the last day the great day of the feast.
The feast of Booths or Tabernacles was the harvest festival memorial of redemption for Israel, prophetic of kingdom rest and blessings through Israel to the nations. The last day of the feast was the most solemn and climatic of the entire festal cycle. It was the eighth day of rest and holy assembly “Jesus stood and cried out, saying, if any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink”.
A tradition grew up in the few centuries before Jesus that on the seven days of the feast of Booths or Tabernacles, a golden container filled with water from the pool of Siloam was carried in procession by the high priest back to the temple.
As the procession came to the Watergate on the s side of the inner temple court 3 trumpet blasts were made to mark the joy of the occasion and the people recited Isaiah Chapter.12 v3
“You will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation”
At the temple while onlookers watched, the priests would march around the altar with the water container while the temple choir sang the Hallel (Psalm 113-118)
The water was offered in sacrifice to God at the time of the morning sacrifice. The use of the water symbolized the blessings of adequate rainfall for crops this ritual was performed on each of the seven days. It was also a memorial aspect that prefigured their wilderness wanderings.
Christ reveals the Living Water –
Bible Reading..
John Ch. 7:37-44 & Isaiah Ch.12:1-6
if you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water”
