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Feast of Tabernacles
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Text: John 7:37-39
37) Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ 39) But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
37) Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ 39) But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Feast of Tabernacles
John 7:37-39
Part - one
Intro: Jesus was cautious to attend the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem; "for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him", John7:1, but He did go, "not publicly, but in secret". At midway through the festival He went up to the temple courts and began to teach. The people were amazed at His teaching but this also created a division among the crowds. Some said, "Surely this man is the Prophet", John7:40, others said "He is the Messiah", John7:41, and still, "some wanted to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him.", John7:44.
The Feast of Tabernacles at that time and also present day Israel is a National celebration held each year in the City of Jerusalem. Also called Festival of Booths, it is a commandment to celebrate the Festival of Booths after they have gathered in the harvest, for a period of 8 days. (Deut.16:16). The festival begins on a Sabbath day of worship to the Lord and it ends with a Sabbath day of worship to the Lord for a period of 8 days.
It is a joyous occasion which begins near the end of the harvest season on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri usually the month of October, their will be thousands of people making this annual pilgrimage to the City of Jerusalem. The feast commemorates the Israelite's sojourn in the wilderness for 40 years and living in temporary shelters after God delivers them from the slavery and bondage of Egypt. "So your descendants will know that the Israelite's lived in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt." (Lev.23:43)
The Feast of Tabernacles at that time and also present day Israel is a National celebration held each year in the City of Jerusalem. Also called Festival of Booths, it is a commandment to celebrate the Festival of Booths after they have gathered in the harvest, for a period of 8 days. (Deut.16:16). The festival begins on a Sabbath day of worship to the Lord and it ends with a Sabbath day of worship to the Lord for a period of 8 days.
It is a joyous occasion which begins near the end of the harvest season on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri usually the month of October, their will be thousands of people making this annual pilgrimage to the City of Jerusalem. The feast commemorates the Israelite's sojourn in the wilderness for 40 years and living in temporary shelters after God delivers them from the slavery and bondage of Egypt. "So your descendants will know that the Israelite's lived in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt." (Lev.23:43)
Title: Feast of Tabernacles
Subject: The King's Altar Call
Text: John7:37-39
37) "Now on the last day;" to me the author is saying that the 8th day was "the last day" of the Feast of Tabernacles, not the 7th day like some commentaries have stated. The mood and excitement of the festival changed on the 8th day;"on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly; It is the closing special assembly"Lev23. Although the mood changed, on the 8th and last day, it was still the Feast of Tabernacles, and the same day that Jesus gave an invitation to believe in Him. The words speak for themselves, last day, means, last day.
the great day of the feast. Okay - I have spoken to folks who believe this phrase is a reference to the future 'great white throne judgment' of the book of Revelations, however the context of the passage here is Jesus offering salvation not condemnation. It was a great day of the feast because it was to be a Holy convocation to the Lord, "a sacred assembly and the closing special assembly;"Lev23:36; Quote: "It may, moreover, have been called "the great day" because it was the closing day of all the festivals of the year. Josephus calls it, the very sacred close (συμπέρασμα) of the year.
Jesus stood and cried out saying; It was the normal posture for Jesus to sit when He was teaching such as in the Sermon on the Mount. Standing up was to show the earnestness of His message. Speaking loud was to ensure His voice could be heard to emphasize the importance of His message.
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. My wife recalls as a child drawing water by hand-rope-and-bucket from her family well, (I missed that part of growing up) and water was drawn from wells the same way in Jesus' day. But Jesus is speaking of a spiritual thirst for life giving water that only comes from a relationship with God. His invitation is for all who thirst and He wants anyone who is thirsty to pick up the cup and drink.
Jesus stood and cried out saying; It was the normal posture for Jesus to sit when He was teaching such as in the Sermon on the Mount. Standing up was to show the earnestness of His message. Speaking loud was to ensure His voice could be heard to emphasize the importance of His message.
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. My wife recalls as a child drawing water by hand-rope-and-bucket from her family well, (I missed that part of growing up) and water was drawn from wells the same way in Jesus' day. But Jesus is speaking of a spiritual thirst for life giving water that only comes from a relationship with God. His invitation is for all who thirst and He wants anyone who is thirsty to pick up the cup and drink.
38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates the provisions of God during the Israelite's 40 years in the wilderness. When Jesus offers them living water they understood what He was refering to. "For He who has compassion on them will lead them And will guide them to springs of water." Isaiah49:10 - “Come, all you who are thirsty come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!” - “Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy?” Isa55:1. Jesus will honor your belief in Him. Even if your faith is as small as a mustered seed he will honor that faith and your innermost being will flow with rivers of living water. Let the one who is thirsty come and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Rev22:17
39) But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. This verse is the author speaking of the day of Pentecost when those who believed in Jesus will received the promise of the Holy Spirit which was the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ. Acts1:8
39) But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. This verse is the author speaking of the day of Pentecost when those who believed in Jesus will received the promise of the Holy Spirit which was the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ. Acts1:8
Acts 1:8
8 "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Conclusion: What I see in this inspiring passage of scripture is the humanity of Jesus ministry. He was always about doing His Fathers will and He was doing just that at this annual festival. The principal lesson I believe, is when Jesus stood up and cried out saying; "If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink." Point: If you have a spiritual thirst for life giving water go to Jesus Christ. A practical lesson to learn is; His offer is without prejudice, if anyone, and it will require at the very least, a basic need that all of nature understands, "thirsting", and He wants us to pick up the cup and drink.
Application: Pay it forward. We are saved from our sin and and given the gift of eternal life. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. But our freedom comes with a very high price because Jesus Christ laid down His life on the
cross and shed His blood to set us free - Point: Freely we have received, freely we should give - praising His name. Part B - Spirit filled Christians', who are being lead by the Holy Spirit should be leading others in the faith also, and giving God the glory, forever - Amen!
A Bible study by: Glenn Faurot
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