Slices
Prepare
Read Psalm 63:1 a few times. Ask God to show you where you are thirsting for him and pray for his life-giving Spirit to refresh you.
Bible passage
Division over who Jesus is
25 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, ‘Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.’
28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, ‘Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, 29 but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.’
30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, ‘When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?’
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.
33 Jesus said, ‘I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.’
35 The Jews said to one another, ‘Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, “You will look for me, but you will not find me,” and “Where I am, you cannot come”?’
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’
39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Explore
Water played an important part in the Festival of Tabernacles (7:2). A procession of priests would go from the pool of Siloam to the Temple, where water would be poured out by the altar. This may have been part of a prayer for rain at the end of a dry season in Israel. Jesus often takes Jewish rituals and traditions and refocuses them on himself. We have already seen this in his bread of life teaching.
You can imagine how dramatic it would have been at this high point of the festival for Jesus to stand up and say that he is the one in whom true spiritual refreshment may be found. John, with hindsight, tells us that Jesus is referring to the gift of the Spirit who will be poured out on the disciples at Pentecost. Jesus may also be reminding his listeners of one of the great prophecies of Ezekiel where a mighty river of life flows out of the Temple making all things new (ch 47).
John also prepares us for that moment when Jesus gives up his spirit and blood and water flow from his side (vs 37–39). The life-giving and thirst-quenching gift of the Spirit comes when Jesus is glorified through his death on the cross.
Respond
Praise God for the great gift of his Son, through whom we have been given the gift of eternal life.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 8,9; Psalm 72
Pray for Scripture Union
Lifepath Brinkburn starts on Monday. Please pray for Kirstine and the team as they introduce the children to those who lived at Brinkburn Priory, and that through their stories the children will learn more about God and grow in their faith.
So, What Next?
Navigating the 'what next' after you've made the decision to follow Jesus can be difficult, especially if you're unfamiliar with the Bible, and you're still discovering who God is, that's why we've created So, What Next?
Designed and written in collaboration with New Wine this back pocket booklet helps children and young people who have made a recent commitment to follow Jesus, continue their journey with him.
