Grace and peace be unto you, beloved, as we gather in the presence of our Lord to drink deeply from His Word. This day, we conclude our meditation upon the seventh chapter of the Gospel of John, under the theme: “Thou Canst Not Compel Them to Drink.” As it is written, one may lead a horse to the fount of water, yet none can force it to partake. So it is with the souls of men, who, when offered the living water of God’s grace, may yet turn aside to the bitter wells of this world.

In John 7:37–53, we behold our Savior, Jesus Christ, standing amidst the Feast of Tabernacles, proclaiming a divine invitation. On the great and final day of the feast, He cried out with a voice of authority and compassion: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38). This, the Apostle John declares, spake He of the Holy Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive, for the Spirit was not yet given, as Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:39).

Let us pray. O Heavenly Father, Thou who art the fount of all wisdom and grace, we thank Thee for Thy Son, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. We praise Thee for Thy written Word, living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. By faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, we have received forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. Guide us now by Thy Spirit, that we may drink deeply of Thy truth. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

On that solemn day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests circled the altar seven times, chanting, “Save now, we beseech Thee, O Lord” (Psalm 118:25). This feast recalled God’s provision of water for His people in the wilderness, a shadow of the greater provision to come. In the midst of this sacred moment, Jesus stood and proclaimed Himself the true source of living water. His words pierced the air: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me.”

This was no mere offer of temporal refreshment but a divine summons to eternal satisfaction. The living water He promised is the Holy Spirit, who indwells the believer, transforming the heart into a wellspring of life. As the prophet Isaiah foretold, “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). Jesus declared that those who believe in Him would not only be satisfied but would overflow with the Spirit, pouring forth blessing to others.

Yet, the Spirit was not yet given, for Jesus had not yet been glorified. His glorification—His death, resurrection, and ascension—would usher in the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, fulfilling the promise of Joel: “I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28). Thus, Jesus’ invitation calls all who are weary and parched in spirit to come, to drink, and to live.

The words of our Lord, though laden with grace, stirred division among the multitude. Some, hearing His voice, declared, “Truly this is the Prophet” (John 7:40), recognizing Him as the one foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). Others proclaimed, “This is the Christ” (John 7:41). Yet others, stumbling in unbelief, questioned, “Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the Scripture said that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” (John 7:42).

Here we see the blindness of men’s hearts. Though Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem, of the lineage of David, as the Scriptures foretold (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1), the crowd’s ignorance and prejudice clouded their understanding. They knew not that Jonah, a prophet, hailed from Galilee (2 Kings 14:25), nor did they seek the truth with humble hearts. Thus, “there was a division among the people because of Him” (John 7:43). So it is today: the name of Jesus divides, for He is the cornerstone upon which some are built up and others stumble (1 Peter 2:7–8).

The religious leaders, puffed up with pride, sought to seize Jesus, yet none laid hands on Him, for His hour was not yet come (John 7:44). The officers sent to arrest Him returned empty-handed, marveling, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). But the Pharisees, hardened in heart, scoffed, “Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed” (John 7:47–49).

O how the wisdom of man is foolishness before God! (1 Corinthians 1:25). The Pharisees clung to their traditions, rejecting the very Messiah they claimed to await. Their pride blinded them to the truth, even as the guards were moved by the power of Jesus’ words. So it is with many who trust in their own righteousness, refusing the free gift of grace. As it is written, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Nicodemus’ stand reminds us that even in the face of opposition, we must speak truth in love, trusting God to open blind eyes.

The Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus reveals the danger of clinging to tradition over truth, of exalting human wisdom above divine revelation.

What, then, doth this passage teach us? First, that our souls are spiritually parched, thirsting for the living God. As the psalmist cried, “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:2). Jesus alone can quench this thirst, offering the Holy Spirit as rivers of living water to fill us to overflowing. Second, this gift is not for us alone but to flow through us, that we might lead others to the Savior.

Yet, many, like the crowd and the Pharisees, reject this gift. Some are swayed by doubt, others by pride, and still others by the traditions of men. Let us not be among them. Let us heed the Savior’s call: “Come unto Me, and drink.” Let us surrender wholly to Him, for He demands our full devotion, as it is written: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).

Finally, let us beware the blindness that comes from trusting in our own understanding. The Pharisees sought signs, yet missed the Messiah standing before them. Let us search the Scriptures diligently, for they testify of Christ (John 5:39). Let us walk by faith, not by sight, trusting in the One who is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank Thee for Thy Son, Jesus Christ, the source of living water. Fill us, we pray, with Thy Holy Spirit, that we may overflow with Thy love and grace. Guard us from pride, doubt, and unbelief, and lead us in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ holy and precious name, we pray. Amen.