Read John 7:14-53
Jesus was no slouch. He utilized every opportunity to teach and present the message of the Kingdom of God. During the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus again spoke revolutionary words.
On each day of the Feast, at the start of the day a water libation (sacrificial pouring out of a liquid) was offered to the Lord as a visual prayer for rain. Shortly after dawn, again each day, the High Priest was followed by a rejoicing crowd and worshippers down to the Pool or Siloam. He carried at golden pitcher and filled it at the Pool, taking it back to the Temple.
At the same time another group would gather willow branches and bring them back to the Temple and place them over the altar to form a drooping canopy over them.
As the High Priest entered the Temple through the Water Gate (so called because of this ceremony) three trumpet blasts would sound. The Priests would recite Isaiah 12:3 - With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. The High Priest would ascend to the altar and pour out his libation. At the proper time the people would wave branches and sing Psalm 118:25 - a messianic Psalm that gave the Feast a messianic emphasis.
On the final and greatest day of the Feast, the temple services reached a climax. The water pouring ceremony took on great significance and there was a great anticipation of rain. Everything was exaggerated on this day. There were more trumpet blasts and more laps around the altar (7 circuits as opposed to 1) and Psalm 118:25 was sung with even greater gusto. It was called the Great Hosanna. Messianic fervour was at its pitch.
It is in the midst of such celebration and high pitched fervour that Jesus interrupted the Temple service, crying out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in NMe, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
What was Jesus saying? Nobody present would have missed the point of Jesus’ words. Here I am. I am Messiah. I am the answer to your prayers. I am the one who can give you true, living water so that you never thirst for salvation again. No wonder we read in vs 44 that some wanted to seize Him. He had questioned their religious authority. He had claimed to be Messiah. The religious leaders called a hasty meeting and sent the Temple guard to arrest Jesus but they returned empty handed. They were too stunned by His response to arrest Him. “No one ever spoke like this man”, they replied. Indeed no one ever did and no one has ever since.
Will you listen to Jesus? Will you come to Him to get that living water? Will you allow Jesus to baptise you in the Holy Spirit? Will you submit to His teaching? Will you let His truth set you free? Will you bow the knee and confess Him as Lord?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would pour out His living water through Christ Jesus in your community/local area. Pray that you would be a vehicle of pouring out into the lives of many around you. Pray that God would be glorified in Christ through this.
¥ Pray that this weekend’s church service would bring great glory to Christ. Pray that He would be powerfully present bringing healing where necessary and needed, faith to those who don’t believe and deep maturity to those who already do believe.
My Additional Prayer Points.
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