QT 11/01/2026 Sun. John 7 The Invitation to Come and Drink 饮水的邀请

QT 11/01/2026 Sun. John 7  The Invitation to Come and Drink
READ http://www.esv.org/john7

Have you ever experienced deep thirst—when nothing seemed to quench your desire for relief? Maybe after a long workout, a hot day in the sun, or even during a spiritual season when you felt drained, isolated, or empty?

I remember a time when I was marching in a fast and furious manner in some high mountains. It was a long journey, the sun was beating down, and I hadn’t had enough water. Every step felt heavier, and I was searching desperately for a stream or a bottle to quench my thirst. Finally, I came across a kind old man who offered the spring water from his own well. That first sip of cool water was more refreshing than anything I could have imagined. It was the relief I needed, the end of my struggle.

This feeling of thirst—whether physical or spiritual—is something we can all relate to. Sometimes, we find ourselves longing for something to satisfy our deepest needs, something that truly fills us and gives us life.

Scripture: John 7:37-39 (ESV)

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Devotional Reflection:

In John 7, we find Jesus at the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles), a significant Jewish festival that commemorated God's provision for His people during their time in the wilderness. This was a time when the people remembered how God had provided water from the rock to sustain them, and during the feast, they would pour out water at the altar as a symbol of God’s continued provision.

But on the last day of the feast, something extraordinary happens. Jesus stands up and makes a bold proclamation to the crowds. He says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (v. 37).

(1) Jesus Recognizes Our Thirst

We all know what it’s like to be thirsty. It’s a feeling that can’t be ignored; it demands attention. Jesus understands this physical and spiritual thirst. He knows that we all have longings that can’t be met by the temporary things of this world—whether it's success, relationships, pleasure, or even religion.

The thirst Jesus speaks of is the longing in our souls for purpose, meaning, forgiveness, and peace. It’s the emptiness we feel when we try to find satisfaction in anything but God.

(2) The Invitation to Come and Drink

Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (v. 37). This is an open invitation to anyone and everyone. There’s no condition. Come, no matter your past, your doubts, or your struggles. All who are thirsty are invited to come to Jesus and drink.

The invitation is personal: "Let him come to me." Jesus doesn't just offer us a sip of water—He invites us into a relationship with Him. To come to Jesus is to trust Him, to believe that He is the answer to our deepest needs. It is through Him that we find true rest for our souls.

(3) The Promise of Living Water

Jesus doesn’t just promise us water; He promises living water. This water is not like any other—it’s the water of the Holy Spirit, which quenches the thirst of our souls and gives us eternal life. Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (v. 38).

This living water is the Holy Spirit—the very presence of God within us. The Holy Spirit renews us, empowers us, and satisfies our deepest thirsts. When we come to Jesus in faith, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, transforming us from the inside out. The Spirit becomes the river that flows from within us, not only bringing life to our souls but also spilling over into the lives of those around us.

(4) The Work of the Holy Spirit

Jesus’ statement about the Spirit in verse 39 is significant. He says, "Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." Eventually, the Holy Spirit would be given to all who believe. The Spirit is the living water that flows within us, sustaining us, guiding us, and enabling us to live for God.

Application:

(a) Are you spiritually thirsty? Just as our bodies need water, our souls need the living water that only Jesus can provide. Is there an area of your life where you feel empty or dissatisfied? Jesus is inviting you to come to Him and drink deeply from the well of His grace.

(b) Trust in the Holy Spirit: If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit is already within you, flowing like a river of living water. You may feel dry or distant, but the Spirit is there, ready to refresh you. Seek the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life. Ask God to fill you anew with His Spirit and give you the strength to live for Him.

(c) Share the Living Water with Others: When you are filled with the living water of the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t stop with you. Jesus promises that this living water will flow out of your heart to others. As believers, we are called to share the gospel of Jesus and invite others to drink from the well of life.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for offering us the invitation to come to You and drink. We confess that we often try to satisfy our thirst with things that cannot fill us. Forgive us, Lord, for seeking satisfaction in the temporary things of this world. We come to You now, thirsty for Your living water. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and refresh our souls. We believe that in You we have life—life that is abundant and eternal. Help us to share Your living water with others and be a reflection of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 11/01/2026 星期日. 约翰福音7  饮水的邀请
阅读 READ http://www.esv.org/john7

你可曾经历过刻骨的渴——当任何事物都无法熄灭你渴望解渴的渴求？或许是在剧烈运动后，烈日曝晒的酷暑中，甚至是在灵性干涸的季节里，当你感到精疲力竭、孤立无援或内心空虚？

我记得有次在高山间疾行，烈日当空，水袋已空。每一步都沉重无比，我拼命寻找溪流或瓶装水解渴。终于遇见一位慈祥老人，他从自家井里取来泉水。那口清凉的泉水，比任何想象都更令人神清气爽。这正是我需要的解脱，是我挣扎的终结。

这种渴求——无论是肉体还是心灵的渴求——是我们都能感同身受的。有时我们会发现自己渴望某种能满足内心深处需求的事物，某种真正能充盈我们生命、赋予我们活力的东西。

经文：约翰福音 7:37-39

37 节期的最后一天，就是最隆重的那一天，耶稣站着高声说：“人若渴了，可以到我这里来喝！38 信我的人，就像圣经所说的，从他的腹中要涌流出活水的江河来。” 39 他这话是指着信他的人要接受圣灵说的；那时圣灵还没有降临，因为耶稣还没有得着荣耀。

灵修默想：

在《约翰福音》第七章中，我们看到耶稣身处住棚节（或称帐棚节）——这个重要的犹太节日纪念着上帝在以色列民旷野漂流期间的供应。人们借此追忆上帝曾使磐石流出水来滋养他们，节期中他们会在祭坛上浇灌清水，象征上帝持续的恩典。

然而在节期最后一天，发生了非凡之事。耶稣站起来向众人发出大胆宣告：“人若渴了，可以到我这里来喝”（第37节）。

(1) 耶稣洞悉我们的渴慕

我们都体会过口渴的滋味。那是无法忽视的感受，它要求我们关注。耶稣深谙这肉体与灵魂的双重渴求。祂明白世间一切暂时的满足——无论是成功、关系、享乐，甚至宗教——都无法填补我们内心的渴望。

耶稣所说的渴慕，是灵魂对生命意义、赦免与平安的渴求。当我们试图在神以外的事物中寻求满足时，便会感受到这种空虚。

(2) 饮水的邀请

耶稣宣告：“人若渴了，可以到我这里来喝！”（第37节）。这是向所有人敞开的邀请，毫无条件。无论你过去的经历、心中的疑虑或生命中的挣扎，只要渴慕，就来。所有渴慕的人都蒙召来到耶稣面前畅饮。

这邀请是私人的：让他到我这里来。耶稣不仅赐给我们一杯水——祂更邀请我们与祂建立关系。来到耶稣面前，就是信靠祂，相信祂是我们最深需求中的答案。唯有通过祂，我们才能为灵魂找到真正的安息。

(3) 活水的应许

耶稣不仅应许我们水，更应许我们活水。这活水与众不同——乃是圣灵之水，能浇灌灵魂的干渴，赐予永恒的生命。耶稣说：“信我的人，就像圣经所说的，从他的腹中要涌流出活水的江河来。”（38节）。

这活水就是圣灵——神亲自住在我们里面。圣灵更新我们、赋予我们力量，并满足我们最深的渴慕。当我们凭信心来到耶稣面前，圣灵便住在我们里面，从内到外改变我们。圣灵成为从我们里面涌流的活水江河，不仅使我们的灵魂得着生命，更汩汩流淌到周围人的生命中。

(4) 圣灵的工作

耶稣在第39节关于圣灵的宣告意义重大。祂说：“他这话是指着信他的人要接受圣灵说的；那时圣灵还没有降临，因为耶稣还没有得着荣耀。” 最终，圣灵将赐予所有信靠祂的人。圣灵是活水，在我们里面涌流，滋养我们、引导我们，使我们能为神而活。

应用：

(a) 你是否灵里干渴？正如身体需要水，我们的灵魂也需要唯有耶稣能赐予的活水。你生命中是否存在感到空虚或不满的领域？耶稣正邀请你来到祂面前，从祂恩典的活泉里畅饮。

(b) 信靠圣灵：若你已是信徒，圣灵早已在你里面，如活水的江河流淌。纵然你感到干渴疏离，圣灵始终同在，随时预备更新你。在生命中寻求圣灵的同在，求神重新以圣灵充满你，赐你力量为祂而活。

(c) 与人分享活水：当你被圣灵的活水充满时，这活水不会止于你。耶稣应许这活水必从你心里涌流出来，滋润他人。作为信徒，我们蒙召传扬耶稣的福音，邀请世人来生命之泉中饮水。

祷告：亲爱的主，感谢祢邀请我们前来饮水。我们承认常以虚妄之物解渴。主啊，求祢赦免我们追逐世间短暂的满足。此刻我们渴慕祢的活水而来，求祢以圣灵充满我们，使灵魂得享甘泉。我们深信在祢里面有生命——丰盛永恒的生命。求祢帮助我们与人分享这活水，成为祢爱的明镜。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。