The Jews observed a number of feasts during the year ,and in Matthew 7 we have Jesus attending the feast of Tabernacles,all the feasts foreshadowed the coming of Messiah.It was to this feast Jesus attended, He knew that he was under threat from the Jewish authorities,and we are also told that even His family did not believe in Him ( 7 v5 ) The feast lasted eight days on the first 7 days water was brought and poured for those who were thirsty, but on the 8th day no water was poured out. It was then that Jesus stood and shouted out to the crowds,'Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! for the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart'.It is J.C. Ryle who writes the following on what Jesus said.' This invitation is for anyone ,who is thirsty'. Then what does our Saviour mean when he speaks of thirst?,lets consider what J.C. Ryle says,' The expression is a figurative one, denoting the spiritual distress and anxiety which one feels when he discovers the value of his soul, and the sinfulness of sin, and his own guilt , Such as one feels a burning desire for relief, of which the distressing sensation of ''thirst'' a sensation familiar to all most Eastern nations- is a most fitting emblem'.
'I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one,lay down
Thou head upon my breast,
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad,
I found in Him a resting place
And He has made me glad'
Horatius Bonar.
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