Sermon - The Day of Pentecost - John 7:37-39

In John 7, Jesus is attending one of the three great annual feasts at Jerusalem: the Feast of Tabernacles, or booths.  It’s important to understand the context as we consider what he said to the people then, and to us today, through John’s Gospel. 

The Feast of Tabernacles was one of three great feasts, or pilgrimage feasts, in which the ancient Jews would gather at Jerusalem.  It was a week-long event and served as a harvest festival as well as a remembrance of God’s provision for the people as they wandered in the wilderness after the Exodus.  For 7 days, the people would live in tents that they would construct, and observe various rituals and sacrifices.  It was a joyous occasion, unlike the more solemn Day of Passover. 

Now, one of those rituals associated with the feast was conducted each day by a priest.  Each morning, a priest would go down to the Pool of Siloam, and fill a golden pitcher with water.  Then a procession would follow him back to the temple area, and with much fanfare and singing of psalms.  The water was carried up the ramp toward the altar, and poured out into a special silver basin.  It was a ritual which gave thanks for the blessings God had poured out, and also asked for continued blessings, especially for the autumn rains. 

So Jesus stands up on the last day of this feast, presumably at the temple, and certainly before the crowds, and cries out (not just speaks, but cries out!) “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” 

It’s fairly clear here that Jesus is using the backdrop of this elaborate water ritual to not-so-subtly claim that he is the true source of blessing, and to invite all – everyone and anyone – to receive freely from him.  And that same drink that he provides, then becomes a river of living water flowing from our hearts.  So the blessings we receive, we also share. 

Here, as elsewhere, water is an important image in John’s Gospel.  Jesus had a fairly similar conversation in chapter 4 with the woman at the well, and he also told her about the living water he gives.  She, a Samaritan, a woman, and a wife of 5 husbands – might have no reason to think Jesus would give her anything.  But like his invitation here, the offer is generous and free. 

Now, John also tells us with a bit more specificity that Jesus was really talking about the outpouring of the Spirit, which had not yet been given, for he had not yet been glorified.  But we know that day was soon coming, and we celebrate it today as the Christian day of Pentecost. 

So the water Jesus gives is the Spirit.  You’ve heard, perhaps often, of the association of the Holy Spirit with wind or breath.  Like the wind, the Spirit moves when and where he wills.  You can’t see him, but you can see his effects.  Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, “receive the Holy Spirit”.  Even the word “spirit” is the same word as “wind” or “breath” in the Greek and Hebrew. 

And perhaps you’ve also associated the Spirit with fire – because of the tongues of fire that rested on the disciples at Pentecost, or because fire is a purifying agent, and the Spirit also purifies us, or sanctifies us.  Even my red stole, like many others, has the little flame symbols on it, along with the dove representing the Spirit. 

But maybe you think of the Spirit less in connection with water, even though John tells us that’s what Jesus meant here.  The Holy Spirit and Water?  It’s not unheard of in Scripture, after all the first mention of the Spirit has him hovering over the primeval waters of creation.  And in John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again of water and the Spirit (that is, referring to Holy Baptism). 

And yes, water’s aspects of cleansing and giving life are right in the Holy Spirit’s wheelhouse, too.  That what baptism is all about – washing away your sins, giving you new life in Christ.  So Pentecost serves for us as another reminder that the Spirit is poured out on each Christian in our baptism. 

And look how Jesus talks about his Spirit here:   
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” 

Take note that he calls “anyone”.  His grace is universal.  His gifts are for all people.  Like water that is poured out generously and splashes here, there and everywhere, so is the Spirit that Christ lavishes upon – well – anyone.  There are no qualifiers of race, or background, wealth, fame or resume’.  There is no report card of good works or righteousness that we must bring.   

Only thirst.  Know your sin.  Know your need.  Confess freely and boldly that you are a spiritual goner without Jesus.  Examine yourself, and let the law of God do its work on your heart, crushing you with the weight of your twisted thoughts and words and deeds.  Embrace such truth.  Be honest about your need.  

And he will, again and again, pour out his Spirit upon you.  He will, again and again, refresh your soul in your baptism.  He will give you the sustenance of his word of absolution.  And he will set a table before you of richest fare – his own body and blood, given and shed for your forgiveness. 

His Spirit gives you this flood of blessings – all by faith.   

And that faith also flows.  Like a river that finds it source in Christ, and in his Spirit, the heart of the Christian pours forth even more – love as we have received love, grace as we have received grace.  All the fruits of the spirit, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.  All of these are the effects of the living water Christ provides. 

It’s far more than welcome rains to the farmer’s thirsty field.  It’s the quenching of the very soul.  And the gushing forth, the overflowing of what he has established in us – is for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor. 

So the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, and the church poured forth speech about the mighty works of God – certainly his Son’s death and resurrection.  And the Spirit called many to faith that day, from many nations.  And the Gospel of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Spirit, went with them as they returned to their homes, like a ripple in a pond the size of the world.  That same Gospel, and that same Spirit, is still poured out upon the church – and the church still overflows with those blessings into the world. 

May the Spirit always do thus for you, dear Christians, poured out upon you, and flowing from your heart, in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.