Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, awaken true comfort in our soul, and refresh us with Your Spirit. Amen.
Text: John 7:37–40
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorifled. Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.”
Devotion
Jesus first had to suffer and die and reconcile the world, breaking down the barrier between heaven and earth, and in His transfigured human nature to enter into the Father’s glory, so that He could pour out His Holy Spirit. But now this is all done and the Spirit’s outpouring is begun. – At the Feast of Tabernacles a priest drew water from the pool of Siloam in a golden pitcher and carried it up into the inner court of the Temple. Here the other priests welcomed him with the sound of trumpets, while all the people sang: “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa 12:3). Then the priest took the water to the altar and mixed it with the wine of the drink-offering. Then it was poured out and flowed through underground pipes down into the brook Kidron, while the Levites with full chorus sang the great “Alleluia” (Hallel Psalms 113-118).
Christ is our Priest and our Altar. The water of Siloam is a picture of God’s love, Christ’s life. It has passed through the altar, through the sacrificial fire, through the atoning death, and flows out over the earth as living water to quench our thirst and heal the waters (Eze 47). Therefore He shouts on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles: “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink!” The Feast of Tabernacles recalls the wandering in the wilderness, which is a foreshadowing of our journey to the Canaan of heaven. Christ is the Rock that gives water in the dry places of the world. He stands in the midst of the Church and shouts: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mat 11:28).
If you are troubled and poor and thirsty for righteousness and love, come to Jesus. He has water for you, and He calls you to Himself. When you hear these words: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink,” then you hear His own voice. It comes to your ears, because He also means you. But to come to Him and drink is to believe in Him. For after He said: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” He says: “He who believes in Me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” And in John 4:14: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” Believe His love, then it enters your heart and permeates your life. What living streams of water flowed from the Apostles! But it happened because they believed. Dear friend, the Spirit is here, Christ is here, the water is flowing, and you stand at the banks of the river. Drink, and give to those who are with you. Believe in Him, and let your thoughts, words, and deeds be His love.
Closing Prayer
Help us to this end, merciful God. Grant us the spirit of faith and love in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Hymn
Heaven’s Light, be dawning,
Gracious Brook, be drawing
Water for our mind;
Balm of grace, be healing,
Pow’r of heav’n revealing,
Path to God we find!
My Defense,
God’s Temple hence,
Holy fire in me be burning
When for God I’m yearning.
Dew of heav’n not streaming,
Fields so dry are screaming
For the early rain;
Let the streams be flowing
Seed be overflowing
In each field and plain!
Give it root,
Abundant fruit,
Let Your garden be resplendent
With God’s Word and Sacrament.
Schmolck: Sørgendes Husvaler L 433:3-4 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Gud skal alting make (ELH 264); alternate hymn: Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness ELH 20