If Any Man Thirst, Let Him Come to me

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. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. - John 7:37-38

    The last day of the feast arrived. It is called “that great day of the feast” because on the closing day there was a general and solemn gathering of worshippers (Lev. 23:36). On this day, when the temple courts were thronged with a large crowd, our Lord stood and cried with aloud voice, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” Three words stand out and demand our attention.

    “Thirst.” This is a spiritual thirst (Jn. 4: 13-14), a strong desire for forgiveness, for righteousness, for a knowledge of God and acceptance by him. This is a man longing for the living God (Psalm 42:1; Matt. 5:6).

    “Come to me;” not to Moses and the law, not to works and ceremonies, not to religious leaders and organizations, but to him! To come to him is to believe on him, to receive him, and to trust in him (2 Tim. 1:12).

    “Drink;” that is, to take the water of life freely or to take of his grace freely. Salvation by Christ is of free grace, and justification is freely by his grace. We have but to come to him and drink. There is a fullness of grace in Christ. His grace is sufficient and abundant for all (Col. 2:9-10). “All the fitness he requireth is to feel your need of him.” The fountain of life lows abundantly and freely; all the sinner need do is drink.