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John 7:37-39 - Are You Thirsty?

John 7:37-39 (NLT) On the last day, the 
climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to 
the crowds, Anyone who is thirsty may come to 
me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and 
drink! For the Scriptures declare, Rivers of 
living water will flow from his heart. 39 
(When he said living water, he was speaking 
of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone 
believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been 
given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his 
glory.)  

INTRODUCTION

Jesus used the term 'living water' in 4:10 
to indicate eternal life. Here he uses the term 
to refer to the Holy Spirit. The two go 
together: wherever the Holy Spirit is accepted, he 
brings eternal life. [Life Application SB] 

If anyone thirst, let him come to me and 
drink (justification).  He who believes in me, as 
the scripture has said, Out of his heart shall 
flow rivers of living water (sanctification) 
[John 7:37, 38].  Only as we constantly drink the 
living water can our behavior be an outflow of love 
and blessing to others.  [SS Lesson 4/22-28/90] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

The Eternal Gift
   Wind power is an increasingly popular 
renewable energy source. Eighty-nine thousand wind 
turbines are operating within the United States and 
its territories, with three thousand being 
installed each year. The United States gets ten 
percent of its electricity from the wind. 
Interestingly, the Bible uses wind as an analogy for the 
Holy Spirit (John 3:8). 
   Today's verse talks about the gift of the 
Spirit. When Christ was here on Earth, "the Holy 
Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet 
glorified' It wasn't until after He was crucified that 
the promised Holy Spirit would be outpoured on 
those who believe. And when the Holy Spirit came, 
it sounded like a "rushing mighty wind" (Acts 
2:2). Christ fulfilled His promise to the early 
believers by giving them the Holy Spirit, and He still 
bestows His people today with the same gift. 
   You cannot pay to receive the Holy 
Spirit. The only requirement is to believe in Jesus. 
It is not something that can be bought, as 
Simon tried to do (Acts 8:18). The Spirit is the 
Helper to those who have faith in Christ. The 
Spirit convicts us of sin to lead us to repentance 
and teaches us in the ways of righteousness. The 
Comforter will only glorify God and will never lead 
you contrary to the Bible. 
   The wind has great power, but the Spirit 
has even greater power. He has the energy to 
change you and lead you through the gates of 
heaven. If you have never asked for the Holy Spirit 
to abide in your heart, do so today. Christ 
will answer because He promised that "those 
believing in Him would receive. 
   Merciful Father, thank You for the gift 
of the Holy Spirit. Help me to ask for Your 
Spirit daily. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by 
Amazing Facts] 

COMMENTARY

He who seeks to quench his thirst at the 
fountains of this world will drink only to thirst 
again.  Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long 
for something to supply the need of the soul.  
Only One can meet that want.  The need of the 
world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ.  The 
divine grace which He alone can impart, is as 
living water, purifying, refreshing, and 
invigorating the soul.  Jesus did not convey the idea 
that merely one draft of the water of life would 
suffice the receiver.  He who tastes of the love of 
Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks 
for nothing else.  The riches, honors, and 
pleasures of the world do not attract him.  The 
constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee. DA187 

The heart that receives the word of God is 
not as a pool that evaporates, not like a broken 
cistern that loses its treasure. It is like the 
mountain stream, fed by unfailing springs, whose 
cool, sparkling waters leap from rock to rock, 
refreshing the weary, the thirsty, the heavy-laden. It 
is like a river constantly flowing and, as it 
advances, becoming deeper and wider, until its 
life-giving waters are spread over all the earth. The 
stream that goes singing on its way leaves behind 
its gift of verdure and fruitfulness. The grass 
on its banks is a fresher green, the trees have 
a richer verdure, the flowers are more 
abundant. When the earth lies bare and brown under the 
summer's scorching heat, a line of verdure marks the 
river's course. So it is with the true child of God. 
The religion of Christ reveals itself as a 
vitalizing, pervading principle, a living, working, 
spiritual energy. When the heart is opened to the 
heavenly influence of truth and love, these 
principles will flow forth again like streams in the 
desert, causing fruitfulness to appear where now are 
barrenness and dearth. PK233,4 

CLOSING PEARLS

No sooner does one come to Christ than there 
is born in his heart a desire to make known to 
others what a precious friend he has found in 
Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be 
shut up in his heart. If we are clothed with the 
righteousness of Christ and are filled with the joy of His 
indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our 
peace. If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is 
good we shall have something to tell. SC78 

Every true Christian is a living fountain, 
ever receiving of the unfailing streams of grace, 
ever refreshed and ever refreshing those that are 
around him. Those who are coworkers with God 
manifest a missionary spirit; for they are ever 
receiving, that they may ever be giving to others the 
light and blessing of heaven. CSW66 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

John 7:37-39 - Are You Thirsty?

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230501-0921.html 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220717-0819.html 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190816-1057.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/