Thirsty? Come to Jesus

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.” John 7:37 (NIV)

Key points:

You are moving among thousands who have come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. A spectacle of joyful celebration, remembering how God provided for your ancestors in the desert. Each day, priests solemnly carry water to the temple and pour it out as a symbol of God’s provision.

… on who’s authority does he get the right to subvert the order of things, and invite anyone to drink from this living water – whatever that is?

On this last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stands and calls out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” Everything stops!

What is going on? What right does this lone radical claim to divert centuries of tradition to himself? More confusing still, on who’s authority does he get the right to subvert the order of things, and invite anyone to drink from this living water – whatever that is?

We are still reluctant to accept the same invitation. Why?

At some level, I empathise with people’s confusion. At that moment, the full picture of Jesus’ mission had yet to unfold. To many, He was an enigma. To some He was a teacher, to others a miracle worker, and to the powerful religious elite, a threat.

Two millennia on, Jesus is still a mystery to many. We are still reluctant to accept the same invitation. Why? What questions hold us back from embracing the greatest open invitation in history?

Listen to this episode of Real Hope in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you are thirsty for meaning, hope, or forgiveness, Jesus offers living water enough to fill you to overflowing. Let go of your questions and comparisons. Quiet the voices of those around you today and listen to just one. Come, believe, drink and be truly satisfied.

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Devotion written by Dwayne Jeffries

Originally published as Jesus’ Invitations – I’m Thirsty – But I’ve Got Questions

Feature image: CanvaPro