Day 17: Rivers of Living Water (John 7:32–52)
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:38 (NASB)
The authorities send Temple guards to arrest Jesus, and Jesus speaks one of his most enigmatic lines: 'I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.' The guards return empty-handed: 'No one ever spoke like this man.' It is an involuntary testimony to the power of Jesus's words — those sent to silence Him are silenced themselves.
On the last day of the feast — the great day — Jesus stands and cries out: ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’’ John explains that He was speaking of the Spirit, who had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified. The imagery is drawn from the Feast of Tabernacles, during which priests would pour water from the Pool of Siloam over the altar, evoking Ezekiel’s vision of the river flowing from the Temple. Jesus is claiming to be the fulfillment of that vision — the source from which the life-giving river flows.
Nicodemus appears again in verse 50, speaking cautiously in defense of Jesus: 'Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing?' He is shouted down: 'Are you from Galilee too? Search and see: no prophet arises from Galilee.' They are wrong on the facts — Jonah and Nahum were from Galilee — but more importantly, they are wrong about where Jesus is from. John lets the irony hang in the air. The teachers of Israel cannot read their own Scriptures.
For Reflection
- Jesus promised that those who believe in Him would have rivers of living water flowing from their hearts. How would you describe the experience of the Spirit's work in your life?
- Nicodemus risked his standing to speak a cautious word in Jesus's defense. What would it look like for you to take a small risk in defense of someone or something right?
- The guards said 'No one ever spoke like this man.' What is it about Jesus's words that is different from any other human voice?
