John 7:37-52 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink.… I. WHO THEY ARE WHO ARE INVITED. The thirsty. 1. In all thirst there is — (1) A sense of want. Every man is sensible that he is not self-sufficient. (2) Desire of supply. The soul of man is ever desiring. 2. The object of this thirsting — (1) The end where the soul may rest, and that is happiness. For this every man thirsts. (2) The means leading to the end. He that desires refreshment, desires also to drink, though he may by ignorance take a cup of poison. 3. There is a two-fold thirst — (1) Natural and common to all men. It is as natural for a man to desire happiness as it is for him to breathe. But men miss the way and seek it in the world, and hence, disappointed, say, "Who will show us any good?"(2) Supernatural, experienced by those only whose heart God hath touched. "My soul thirsteth for the living God." There is no happiness unless this is satisfied. II. TO WHAT THEY ARE INVITED. 1. To come to Christ, i.e., to believe on Him (ver. 33). Unbelief is a departing from the living God: faith is coming back. 2. To drink, i.e., to actually make use of Christ for the supply of this need. This points out three things in Christ. (1) The fulness of Christ for needy sinners. (a) In Him there is a fulness of merit to take off the fulness of our guilt. (b) A fulness of the Spirit to take away the power of sin, and to actuate us in all good. (c) A fulness of grace. (2) The suitableness of Christ. In Him there is a remedy for every disorder. (3) His satisfactoriness. This drinking also implies three things in us. (a) The soul going out for a supply of its particular wants, renouncing all confidence in itself or any creature (Jeremiah 17:5). (b) The soul's going out in desire after supply from Christ upon His invitation. (c) Believing application of Christ to the soul in — (i) catching hold of the promise suited to our case. (ii) Venturing our case upon the promise and proposed supply. (iii) Confidence in Christ answering our necessities. III. MOTIVES FOR ACCEPTING THE INVITATION. 1. The supply of the needs of sinners is the great end of the mystery of Christ. 2. He is able to supply all needs however great they may be. Christ is a fountain that is never dry. The creatures are broken cisterns and soon exhausted. 3. Consider your need of Him. 4. If you come now you will drink of the rivers of God's pleasures for evermore. (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. |
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