“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out (in a loud voice), saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
“But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified”. John 7:37-39 NKJV
Scripture records two other occasions where Jesus “cried out with a loud voice”. Both were on the Cross: “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit”. Matthew 27:46, 50 NKJV
Speaking to their blindness at this Feast of Tabernacles, “…Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV.
Another cry on that great day of the Feast from our Good Shepherd to follow Him and walk in His light!
The love and sorrow of our God; the love and victory on the Cross for us all.
Why would Scripture record the anguish of Jesus on the great day of the Feast of Tabernacles?
Love, because Jesus came in love’s obedience to the Father’s will to be “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NKJV) for His beloved people Israel and for all mankind.
Sorrow, because on this great day of the Feast which points to Messiah, the people of Israel denied their Yeshua HaMashiach, who was in their midst.
The adoration and praise due to their Messiah on this Feast is described in Isaiah.
“Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
And in that day you will say:
“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!” Isaiah 12:3-6 NKJV.
The Holy One of Israel was in the midst of His people on that day. His name was not exalted. His deeds not praised. His greatness not lauded or shouted.
Instead, the Pharisees expressed their mockery and derision of their Messiah and murderously plotted to kill him. Refer John 7:40-53; Matthew 26:3-5
Scripture describes the glory of Yeshua HaMashiach. “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;” Colossians 2:9NKJV.
Every book of the Torah points to Messiah and to Yeshua. The eyes of the Pharisees and those who followed them were blinded by their pride, lust for power and position, and their envy.
Yet Yeshua performed the wonders, signs and miracles described in Isaiah 61: 1-2; see Luke 4:17-18 also John 20: 30-31.
Yeshua HaMashiach’s beloved people missed their appointed time, their time of His visitation!
The intensity of love and the anguish of sorrow, I suggest from this Scripture, for Jesus to cry out in this manner on the Feast of Tabernacles, comes from Jesus’ heart of love for His brethren the Jewish people. On this special day of the Feast, they were rejecting Yeshua as their Messiah and King, and denying the love of the Father who gave His only begotten Son as Saviour, Redeemer, King and Messiah. (John 3:16).
Jesus reveals hearts.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:27 NKJV)
The faithful, everlasting love of God for Israel
The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates God’s lovingkindness, His faithful and everlasting love and salvation – beautifully expressed in Jeremiah 21: 2-3 and here in Deuteronomy.
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 7: 6-8 NKJV
We see the passionate, extravagant love of God – a love beyond measure. Deep, deep love. Faithful, constant, covenantal love -beyond the comprehension of the human mind.
The love of God Almighty, a love that is faithful and true, even when His people are not. This is demonstrated in history- the love of the Father and His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His promises never cease – they are eternal. The love of God our Saviour and Lord, Yeshua is never ending. It is a constant, everlasting and amazing love.
We await the glorious and wonderful day of the return of the Yeshua HaMashiach. And for the day the beautiful people of Israel cry out. And for the promise given in Zechariah – “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn”. Zechariah 12:10 NKJV
Another cry from Yeshua Hamashiach:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (‘Baruch Haba B’Shem’ Adonai’) Mathew 23: 37-39 NKJV
Prayers for Yeshua’s beloved people:
We pray, Yeshua that Your people Israel will become thirsty and come to You Yeshua HaMashiach, and drink of the living water that comes from You alone, their Messiah and King.
Yeshua, the Light of the world, we pray your Jewish people will have eyes to see and ears to hear Your voice and they will follow You, Light of the World, Good Shepherd, and they will walk in Your light, Yeshua, and have the Light which is eternal life in You. Have the Light which is Life, Life abundantly to the full, till it overflows. (John 8:12; John 10:10)
More and more streams, rivers of Living water from Your abundant love, flowing into hearts and lives pouring into their innermost being, into families and communities, into the whole Nation of Israel, we pray .” (John 7:38).
Yeshua HaMashiach, may we be longing and waiting for your coming again, as you return in glory to judge the whole earth, to bring restoration to all things, and to rule and reign in the New Jerusalem. May we watch and pray and do Your will and occupy until your soon return, we pray. (Mark 13:33; Luke 21:35: 1 Peter 4:7; Acts 10.42; 2 Timothy 4:1; Luke 19:13 + many more)
Yeshua, we pray: Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, we long for Your coming and that you rule and reign on the Throne of King David from Jerusalem. Your rightful place, Lord of Lords, and King of all Kings, we pray. Amen, amen.
A beautiful, well crafted article – lots to ponder. Thanks Mirelle