According to verse 2, the Jews were celebrating the Feats of Tabernacles. This was a feast that occurred during the first part of our month of October. During this seven-day feast, the Jews lived in booths made of tree branches to commemorate their forefather's pilgrimage through the wilderness. On each of these seven days, the High Priest would go to the Pool of Siloam and draw out water in a golden vessel. This water would then be poured out on the altar where the parts of the sacrifice were arranged. As the water was poured out, the people sang unto the Lord and shouted for joy. It was a time of great celebration and worship for the people. This kind of celebrating continued for 7 days. The eighth day was called the great day of the feast. On this day, sacrifices were again offered, but there was no singing and no shouting, this was known as a solemn day of repentance before the Lord. Another element was missing on this day as well; there was no water poured out on the eighth day.
It was against this backdrop of silence and symbolism that Jesus stood up and proclaimed Himself to be the Fountain Of Living Water. When He spoke, thousands would have been present to hear Him, and everyone who heard him would have instantly understood what He meant.
I. Jesus is the Source v. 37-38
A. The Source of Living Water.
1. In these two verses, Jesus proclaims Himself to be the place where the living water is found.
2. Jesus isn't the living water, but He is the fountain where it can be found!
3. Throughout the New Testament, water for drinking is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
a. It is the Spirit of God that comes to the sinners and shows him his need of salvation.
(John 16:8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
b. It is the Holy Spirit that applies the Word of God in conviction.
(John 6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
c. It is the Spirit that seals that believer.
(Eph 4:30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
d. It is the Spirit of God that fills the believer and uses him for the glory of God.
(Eph 5:18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
e. Salvation involves every member of the Holy Trinity, but the Spirit of God is the One who abides in us and helps us day by day.
f. He is the "water of life" and Jesus is the source of that Living Water.
B. The Opening of the Fountain.
1. Before the Water of Life could be dispensed to a lost and dying world, the Fountain of Living Water had to be opened.
2. When a well is opened it requires that the earth be torn open so that life-giving water can flow forth.
3. In the same manner, the Fountain of Living Water was torn open on Calvary.
4. He allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, spit upon, and crucified just so He could be opened up and so the water of the Spirit might be free to flow to a needy humanity.
C. The primary thing we need to understand today is that when Jesus went to the cross and died there, He was doing it just for you and me!
1. He wasn't dying because He was a bad man and deserved to die.
2. He was dying because He loved you and wanted to make a way for us to miss Hell.
3. He died because He loves us.
(Rom 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
4. Never think for a moment that Jesus didn't die for you.
5. In fact, if you had been the only sinner in the world, Jesus would have still gone to Calvary just to pay for your sins.
II. The Living Water Brings Blessings.
A. Salvation
1. The primary benefit of coming to Jesus by faith is that of being eternally saved by the grace of God.
2. Saved from what? Hell!
3. The sinner is condemned and doomed before the Lord.
(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(Psa 9:17) The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
4. However, when that same sinner comes to Jesus and receives Him by faith, that sinner is saved from Hell, delivered from death and protected from the wrath of God.
(Rom 5:9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
(John 10:28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
5. The soul that has placed its faith in Jesus for salvation need never fear ever being lost again.
6. If this were the only benefit of coming to Jesus, it would be worth it!
7. Because, salvation will change your life here and bring you into a place of blessing and into the family of God, and it guarantees you that you will go to Heaven when you leave this world.
8. But, there's much more!
B. Satisfaction
1. Notice that it is from the belly that these "rivers of living waters" flow.
2. The belly is that part of man that is never satisfied.
3. We feed it and soon thereafter, it cries out for more.
4. Yet, Jesus says that if we come to Him, He will give us satisfaction for our most pressing needs.
5. Jesus abundantly satisfies the soul of man!
6. The one who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ has tapped into a fountain of living water is never exhausted, but one that abundantly satisfies!
C. Strength
1. The water never abates.
2. It is always there and it is constantly refreshing the life of the believer.
3. This Living Water is that which gives us power, gives us joy and gives us hope in this world.
4. There are many who say that they could never live a Christian life.
a. This is a true statement!
b. No one, in his or her natural state, can live the Christian life.
c. However, when the Spirit of God lives in us, and lives through us, He makes all things possible.
d. It is the Spirit of God that makes Christian living possible.
(Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
D. Service
1. The Bible makes it clear that this water of life that is placed within us forms a mighty river that flows out from us and touches those around us.
2. What the Lord is saying is that there we will be sufficiently satisfied and that He will use us to reach others for His glory!
3. When the Rock in the wilderness was opened up, the water flowed forth into the desert and refreshed all who came into contact with it.
4. So it is with us, the Spirit of God will empower us to minister to others and be a source of refreshing to those around us.
III. This Living Water Is Available To All. v37
A. Who Thirst
1. A conscious desire for something not in one's possession.
2. Before a person can be saved, he/she must sense their need of salvation.
3. As long as they are satisfied in their sins and content with their life and have no thought for God, salvation will not come to them!
4. However, when they see their need and desire or thirst for the salvation and satisfaction that can only come from Jesus … they can come to Christ and be saved by the grace of God.
5. Is your heart hungry today? Do you long for true peace of heart?
6. Have you been searching everywhere for things that simply do not and cannot satisfy the soul? Why not come to Jesus today? He makes all the difference in life.
B. Who will Come
1. Jesus invites all the thirsty to come unto Him.
2. Notice several aspects of Christ's cry that great day.
a. The Invitation - "Come"
b. The Availability - "Any man"
(Rom 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
c. The Access
1) The way is open to Jesus!
2) His well is never dry, if you will only come to Him, He will demonstrate His great saving power in your life.
3) He loves you more than you could ever know, and He longs to save your eternal soul.
4) All He requires is that you come to Him in faith.
Where do you stand in regard to salvation? You may be a church member, may be faithful in attendance. You may be a visitor here today. You may be someone who is considered by others to be wicked and beyond hope. Whatever you situation today, rest assured that if you will come to Jesus Christ today, He will save you by His power and give you everlasting life. All that is required of you is that you came and that you believe on Him.