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. John 7:39
Faith is like drinking at an inexhaustible fountain, the means by which you receive Christ and all He offers. There’s much more here than a distant or sterile belief in a creed. We are talking about Christ living in you.
But how can Christ live in you? Jesus died and rose and ascended into heaven. Now, Christ lives in those who come and drink by the Holy Spirit. “Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive…” (7:39).
Notice, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. So in making this great invitation, Jesus anticipates what those who come to Him will experience after his death, resurrection, and ascension. Christ crucified, risen, and ascended can become yours by the Holy Spirit. All that Jesus accomplished in His death can be yours. The peace, love, and joy of His resurrection life can also be yours. As He has ascended and is glorified in heaven, so one day, this too will be yours if you will come to Him, believe in Him, and receive from Him.
How much joy, peace, and love can be yours? As much as you can drink! The only limit is how much you come to Jesus and how much you can drink of Jesus.
When Jesus says, “Come to me and drink,” He is describing a pattern of life, not a one-time event. Every day you can draw near to Jesus, and as you recognize that He is what you need, and you come to Him, believe in Him, and drink from Him, what is in Him will be in you.
What keeps you from coming to Jesus and freely drinking? Pride? A habit? A comforting crutch? Busyness? Lack of motivation? Other pursuits? Unbelief? Cynicism? Resentment? Denial? A hurt? A fear? Shame? Jesus’ offer still stands: “Come to me and drink!”
