Sabbath-School Worker
September 1, 1895
“Come unto Me and Drink”
“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.... Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.... Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he.... About the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.” Jesus, the One who was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, by whose stripes we are healed, the Burden Bearer of the sins of the world, stood in the midst of the vast assembly that had come up to celebrate the feast of the tabernacles. People from nigh at hand and from far away had been celebrating the wonderful transactions that had occurred through the work of God in their journey in the wilderness. The people were ranged on either side of the white marble steps of the temple, and their songs had been ringing out in clear sound, accompanied by musical instruments. The vast concourse of people took up the chorus, waving their branches of palm and myrtle. The melody was taken up by voices near and afar off, in the tents and on the hillsides. The priests sounded their silver trumpets again and again, and throughout the congregation the answering sentinels had echoed the notes of the trumpets. The priests had performed the ceremony of bringing water from the pool of Siloam. The people had been standing, walking, singing, and shouting all night long, and reaction was setting in. They were exhausted with the fervor of their rejoicings. SSW September 1, 1895, par. 1
“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.” The words that fell from the divine lips made a deep impression upon the people, and for the time many of them realized their real spiritual necessities. The scenes of the feast that had been transacted were fresh in their minds, and gave to his words a peculiar significance. The Holy Spirit presented the symbol before them until they saw in it the offer of the priceless gift of salvation. The invitation was appropriate for the occasion, and impressed every heart with sacred power, as the voice of Christ rang out above the crowds in the temple court, and sounded outside the courts in distinct utterances. His words exercised a drawing power upon the souls who were weary, thirsty, hungering for spiritual nourishment, and longing for peace and rest. A solemn hush fell upon the people, and conviction came upon them that he was the Son of God. So overpowering was the conviction that prejudice was allayed, and faith began to spring up in many hearts. SSW September 1, 1895, par. 2
His own brethren witnessed what he had done on this occasion. They had impatiently requested Jesus to make himself known. They had what they had asked in the invitation: “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.” Many felt that his voice was as the voice of one speaking from heaven, and they were ready to exclaim, “Give me the water of life, that I thirst not.” Oh, that they had yielded to the conviction of the Spirit, and had come to Christ, not as to a man merely, but as to God himself! Many of the people, when they heard his words, said, “Of a truth this is the prophet.” The officers said, “Never man spake like this man.” But the multitudes went their way, and did not then acknowledge Christ as the Saviour of the world. SSW September 1, 1895, par. 3
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and he is still crying to the sons of men, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” Who will hear his invitation? Who will yield to the Spirit's pleading while it is called today? “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” SSW September 1, 1895, par. 4