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. JESUS' CLAIM TO DIVINE FULNESS (vers. 37-39). 1. It was tabernacles. The last day had come. It was Sabbath. All hearts overflowed with joy. With water from Siloah the priest came, pouring it upon the altar in the presence of all the people. That water was a symbol of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Seeing it, Jesus makes, regarding Himself, this proclamation: "If any man thirst, let Him come unto Me and drink." How emphatic the word "thirst!" It means all the needs of the soul and the deep cravings of mankind. The word "drink" is equally strong. Jesus here offers Himself as a complete satisfaction to man. The claim here set forth is one and the same thing with Isaiah 55:1. The same person speaks in both places. Jesus thus declares Himself to be God, i.e., the Christ. 2. The same thing is claimed in ver. 38. The believer, having received Jesus, becomes himself a fountain of eternal life — rather is he a channel through which the grace of God flows to bless other hearts. This is the effect of the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is secured for the sinful world by the atonement of Jesus Christ. The cross has two sides — one turned towards God the Father, reconciling Him to man a sinner; the other turned towards man, securing for him the Holy Ghost. Under these two aspects Christ's sacrifice is always presented in the Bible. It is to the last of these that vers. 38, 39 refer. Hence Jesus declares Himself the Christ. II. THE PEOPLE CLAIM JESUS AS CHRIST (vers. 40-44). 1. Some declared that He was "The Prophet" (Deuteronomy 18:15). The person here spoken of was held by the Jews to be the coming Messiah (Acts 3:22, 23). 2. Others bolder, pronouncing His name: "This is the Christ" (ver. 41). 3. A third party, while they seemingly rejected Him, bore a testimony to His being the true Messiah (vers. 41, 42). He had both the lineage and birthplace which they required to convince them. Only their own ignorance stood in the way. Observe:(1) It was Christ's strong claim regarding Himself that won Him confessors. So in teaching, we must present the truth in strong terms, leaving results with the truth itself. (2) A little ignorance often prevents men from receiving the gospel (ver. 42). (3) Anything for an excuse is the motto of some persons. The cry now is, "He is a Galilean!" If not this, then something else, equally untrue. (4) The plain teaching of the Word is apt to attract the attention of all and cause divisions among the people (ver. 43). Nothing is talked about so much as Christianity. (5) No one can damage the truth, except so far as God gives him permission, and then it is for a wise purpose, as the future will show (vers. 32, 44). His hour did come. Then He was crucified. The greatest crime secured the world the greatest blessing! III. THE OFFICERS CLAIM JESUS AS CHRIST (vers. 45-49). Their testimony in His behalf is contained in ver. 46. It was the same as saying: "His speaking is that of a Divine person." Those hard men, that went to arrest Him, were overcome by the love shown in His speech; by the truth which impressed them; by the persuasion His words carried with them and by His authority as a teacher. These all were so marked that, returning, His enemies had to declare. "Never man so spake" — none, save God, could show such love, truth, persuasion and authority. 1. These are all divine qualities, man having them in proportion as he is "endued with power from on high." 2. The gospel has these four great elements — Love, Truth, Persuasion, and Authority. 3. Those who will not receive the gospel pronounce such testimony as this "deception" (ver. 47). The belief of the humble-hearted is foolishness unto the intellectual-proud (Vers. 48, 49). IV. Nicodemus claims Him to be Christ (vers. 50-53). The charge against Jesus by the Pharisees was that He claimed to be from God, the true Messiah. Nicodemus virtually said this: "You have not disproved this claim; nothing has been done to prove the falsity of Jesus' words" (ver. 51). He might have made His testimony stronger. We must remember that a secret disciple is not bold in word or deed. The reply of the Pharisees was weak, showing that their cause was based on ignorance and prejudice (ver. 52). Such is the cause of unbelief to-day. (A. H. Moment, 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. |
    |