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Now on the last day, the greatest day of the Festival,1 Jesus rose and cried out,2 saying: “Let anyone thirsting come to me and drink!”
| 1 | The greatest day of the Festival: During the festival in Jesus’ day water was brought from the pool of Siloam to cleanse the Temple altar with the water and wine. This occurred precisely at the moment of loud blaring of the trumpets, followed by the singing of Psalms 113-118. The whole affair was associated with the miraculous water from the wilderness rock. [Exodus 17:1-7] Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 10:4 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. |
| 2 | Jesus rose and cried out: Jesus was in the Temple area and raised his voice likely at that moment when the priest was pouring the water on the altar and the trumpets sounded. We hear his voice rising above the din. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose John 7:37 as the theme verse of chapter seven – “Come to Me.” Jesus begins to march toward Jerusalem and his destiny, telling his disciples that ‘the world hates me because of my testimony’. [1-9] At the festival people talk about Jesus and who he is. [10-13] Jesus goes up to the festival at the Temple and there he declares that ‘what I teach is not my own’. [14-24] The Jewish religious hierarchy plot to kill Jesus. [25-31] He tells the Jews that ‘where I go you cannot follow’. [32-36] At the height of the festival Jesus calls out amidst the crowds, “Come to me for living water.” [37-44] People listening say, “Never has another spoken like this.” [45-52]
Abba our Father bless those drink from the living water our Master supplies.
[5 December 2002]
Jewish writers say that water was brought every day of the feast in a golden pitcher from the pool of Siloam and poured upon the altar. It is thought that it was when this water was poured out that Jesus cried out, and pointed to the living water.
