It’s the Feast of Tabernacles, the Fall Feast of rejoicing; the harvest is in. The Israelite nation has gathered in Jerusalem for these seven days of celebration, and the city is teeming with joy. “Tabernacles” are constructed from fragrant branches to remind the Jews of God’s protection in the wilderness. The city is ablaze with light from four enormous golden candlesticks, some 75 feet high. No corner of Jerusalem is in darkness. Zealous worshippers dance into the night, singing praises to God. Exuberant music fills the streets.
Now the seventh day, the last great day of the feast, has come. The chosen priest, accompanied by a throng of worshippers and lilting flute music, goes down to the pool of Siloam and fills a golden pitcher with water. Trumpets sound as the priest enters the Temple and pours the water into a magnificent silver basin. The worshippers chant words from Psalm 118: “O Lord, do save, we beseech Thee…” In the Talmud we read, “Why is the name of it called the drawing out of water? Because of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, according to what is said: ‘With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation’”. (Isaiah 12:3). This is their expectation.
And here He comes, this Jesus of Nazareth, this carpenter, this itinerant preacher, this upstart. He stands up, and the brilliance of the glorious Temple pales in His presence.
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”[a] 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:37-39)
Our Jesus, our Messiah, stands up and proclaims “Come to ME and drink.” I am the living water that will not only quench your thirst, but will flow from your innermost being. And not only will you live, but you will bring life to those around you.” Let’s drink deeply, Church, every day, and watch what the Holy Spirit will do through us.