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.
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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