John 7:37

From this unto the end of the chapter, John recordeth Christs sweet Sermon upon the last day of the feast, verse 37, 38, 39, with some effects of it among the people, verse 40,—44. and the confusions that arise in the Councel of the Pharisees about him, verse 45,—53.

In this verse it is recorded, that this being the last and great day of the feast, wherein the people were again solemnly conveened to publike worship, being to depart on the morrow; Christ takes hold of this opportunity, with fervency and boldnesse, to make offer of his refreshing grace to all these, who, being thirsty, do come to him. It is not needful to determine that on this day they had a custome of drawing water out of the pool of Siloam, with an eye to that Scripture, Isa. 12.3. But it is certain, that in this, Christ doth repeat that proclamation of the free mercate of his grace, which we have, Isa. 55.1. And albeit by thirsting, we are chiefly to understand a spiritual langour and desire after spiritual things; Yet it doth not seclude, but such as thirst, even after other things, should come to him, who alone is able to answer their expectation, as Isa. 55.2, Doctrine 1. While as Christ returns no answer to their malicious carping, verse 35, 36. but makes this large offer, to all of them, or, at least, to such as would be convinced and come; It teacheth, partly, that meek Christ will follow, even despisers, with his gracious offers, and will digest all their effronted debordings, if at last they will embrace him. And partly, That he is so earnest, and so busie, when there is an opportunity to offer and do good to any, that he will not care to give his enemies the last word of him, and will say to them as Jacob said in another case to the man, 2 Sam. 18.14. I may not tarry thus with thee? 2. Opportunity may seeme strangely to slip away and be lost, as to getting any good done, even when not onely faithful men, but Christ himself is about the managing of the work of the Gospel; for, now it is come to the last day, the great day of the feast, (as both the first and last were holy convocations, Levit. 23.34, 35, 36) and the people, after eight dayes attendance, are ready to go away, before they close with his offer. 3. Opportunities should be the more carefully managed, that they are shortly like to passe over; Therefore doth Christ bestir himself on this last day. 4. When people are ready to retire themselves from solemne exercises and Assemblies, to their ordinary employments and vocations, they have need to have their hearts seasoned and guarded with useful instructions; Therefore doth Christ publish this needful doctrine on that day, that it might beat them company home. 5. Albeit Christ be alwayes rich and good unto his people; yet it is his ordinary way, to blesse eminent and solemne times of his peoples worship, with much of him; Therefore also doth he make that great day of the feast, yet greater, by his sweet Sermon and offer of himself upon it. 6. The truth of God, and riches of Christ ought to be proclaimed with such courage, fervency, and zeal, as becomes such a message, and as may invite hearers to take notice of it; Therefore Jesus flood (whereas the use then was to sit and teach) and cried, not onely that he might be seen and heard in that great croud, but to testifie his courage when they sent to kill him, and his fervent zeal to have this doctrine beleeved and embraced. 7. Man is a barren and all-needy creature, burnt up with wants and necessities, and not able to supply them of himself; for, so much doth their thirsting import, that they are burnt up, and must have somewhat without them, to coole and refresh them. 8. There is no satisfaction for empty man in any course he takes, till he come to Christ, and embrace and close with him. Neither will the world and things therein satisfie their expectation, who lust after these things; Nor will external performances satisfie them who have any true thirst: for, this is the onely remedy, Let him come unto me. See Matth. 11.28. Isa. 55.2. 9. As men are bound to have spiritual thirst after Christ, that they may be satisfied; and as Christ will satisfie and refresh such: So he doth allow and invite all these who have essayed many courses, but in vain, to come to him, and finde what they want; for, both are comprehended here, if any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. For clearing and enlarging whereof, Consider, 1. Christ is so condescending, that he will not refuse, even these who have wandred far, seeking contentment, before they would come to him; but will take up a man, after he hath been refused at all other doores, and him who hath spent his strength for that which is no bread, and drunk many a puddle dry, and yet is not satisfied. Hos. 2.6, 7. 2. It is no matter what a man hath been before, so now he be driven to Christ, having essayed the vanity of all things beside; If any man thirst, let him come; And albeit the thirst of many after other things hath been sinful and dishonourable to Christ, yet he will accept of them, if they come: Yea, albeit they want many things that are required in such as come; yet he will make them welcome, if they come to get these things. 3. Albeit spiritual thirst and indigencie, when it is discovered, be a very humbling condition; Yet it should be looked on as Christs forerunner, and as an invitation, call, and warrant, put in the thirsties hand, that he may come; for, if any man thirst, it saith from Christ, let him come to me. 4. Albeit thirst be nothing else but a discovery, and a making of us sensible of our necessity; Yet it is Christs way, to take no other advantage of his peoples necessity, then to let out of his fulnesse to them, and let them see that it is indeed their fulnesse, and (in some respect) matter of their encouragement, to dwell in the sense of emptinesse; for, he giveth thirst, that he may give drink; And therefore his keeping of his people at under ought not to be stumbled at. 5. The propounding of this condition, if any man thirst, is not to be understood, as if we must first beget sense of need in our selves, and then come to Christ; Nor doth it warrant any souls who would be at Christ, to seclude themselves, because they think they are not thirsty: for, albeit it do point out what is our duty; Yet it is his work to beget it, who sends his work before him, that he may bring his reward with him, Isa. 40.10. and who by offering of grace, as a mean, doth oft-times beget it. But the scope is rather to invite men to come, upon this ground, that if they come indeed, they do, by their coming, prove they have thirst, whatever they think of themselves; and that any who are come this length, that they would come if they had thirst, they may come with what they have, and get more thirst by coming to him. Therefore are all these conditional offers summed up in this, whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely, Rev. 22.17. 6. It is Christs will, that thirsty souls should not onely come to him by humble dependance, but that they should enlarge themselves and partake of their priviledges and his refreshments; that so they may be satisfied and acquiesce in him; may confirme themselves in their choice of him, and forsaking other delights; and, may refute their own tentations and unbelief, by tasting how good he is; for, it is his will they come to him and drink, or partake largely of his refreshments, See Cant. 5.1. Psal. 81.10.