Pentecost

 

John 7:37-39
The promise of the coming Spirit

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.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 

By 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.

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; [1] 

During the Feast of Tabernacles, there was a daily ceremony involving water. Each day, the priests and the people would joyfully make their way to the pool of Siloam. Using a golden pitcher, water was drawn, taken back to the temple, and poured on the altar of burnt offering. The words of Isaiah 12:3 were then sung:  "Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."

On such an occasion, Jesus used the opportunity to extend a wonderful promise. He invites those who thirst to come to Him and drink. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”  v.37

Those who believe in Jesus will have "rivers of living water" flow from their hearts. V. 38

The apostle John explains that this promise concerns the Holy Spirit who calls gathers, enlightens, sanctifies and keeps us. “…this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive.” V. 39   

Today, Jesus invites all the thirsty to come unto Him.

1. An Invitation – It’s a simple invitation. Jesus simply says, "Come."

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1 

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. - Revelation 22:17

We’ve been raised to know that nothing comes free. Everything comes with a price tag involved. If you want something, you must work for it. You must save for it. You may purchase only what you can afford.  But in the LORD’s economy, when it comes to your salvation the price has been paid in full. Better yet, it’s been paid when you could not. 

The Lord gives an invitation. It is available to all.

2. Availability - "If any man thirsts let him come"

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. - John 6:37

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. - 1 John 5:1;

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. - Romans 10:13

3. Access - The way is open to Jesus! His well is never dry. If you will only come to Him, He will demonstrate His great saving power in your life. He loves you more than you could ever know.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 

Christ longs to save you. He longs to restore you. He longs to repair all that is broken.  All He requires is that you come to Him 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29.

In the story of the Passover - The blood of the lamb could not save until it was applied to the doorpost. Any family could have slain a lamb and eaten the flesh, but only when the blood was applied was there safety to those abiding in the house - Exodus 12:13.

So, it is with your salvation! Only the Blood of Jesus grants salvation to the human soul.  Only by the work of Christ does the Spirit perform His work.

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.  Hebrews 9:22;

Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  1 Peter 1:18-19.

At the Spirit’s bidding, Christ is inviting you to come to him to be satisfied. He offers you – that great exchange – God’s mercy and forgiveness purchase at the cost of His own Son! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!

Today is Pentecost.  It is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit promised by the Savior.  What does Jesus mean when He says that He will send the Spirit?   The Spirit is your comforter, an advocate.

As an advocate, he is your defense attorney. One who speaks for a defendant before the judge in a court of law. As Jesus promises the comforter will come this can only be good news for you. It is the Spirit Himself, which will plead your case before the mercy seat of God.

The Savior rules upon His throne. The Spirit stands as your advocate to defend and sustain you. The Advocate, the Spirit of truth, convicts the world with respect to sin, righteousness, and judgment.

He stands for you to intercede and plead your case before the Father. All is well. The Spirit has come as promised by the Savior.

words -1,090
passive sentences-16.23%
reading ease-78.2%
reading level-5.5

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[1] Collect for Pentecost, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis