The Gospel of John #43

By Robert Guenther

We are continuing our review of the Gospel of John, Chapter 7. This chapter deals with the topic of the feast of tabernacles in the last day, the great day of the feast. We are now looking into the final phase in which John refers to this event as the Jew’s feast.

Vs. John 7:37 “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.” In the last day or 8th day of restoration at the conclusion of the feast we find the Redeemer was to supply them water, much as Moses had done in the Old Testament with the striking of the rock.  We know that water is required by us to sustain life. I believe this is a figure of speech in that if they would come and drink of Him they would receive everlasting life.

Vs. John 7:38 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” That true life flows out of Him and when we partake of His Word we too can have this new life in resurrection.

Vs. John 7:39 “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”  I think that God is revealing to us, by this Divine commentary, the truth within these brackets. Having the Spirit of God dwelling within us and the Spirit being a great comforter, is the truth that is implied here.

Vs. John 7:40 “Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.” Those who understood that this was a different way for the Lord to be dealing with true believers accepted His Word as truth. The true Prophet that was sent by God as promised.

Vs. John 7:41 “Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?” It seems there will always be those that doubt the truth in the Word of God.  I am reminded of a verse in Matt 22:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” There is no reason that our Lord could not have come from different cities.

Vs. John 7:42 “Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” The city of Bethlehem referred to His birth place where as the city of Galilee was the place where He had been residing just before He arrived at the feast. There were those who rejected Him because He had resided in the city of Nazareth. There seems to be those who are always looking for an excuse not to believe in Him

...to be continued