(A) Introduction. (Read the reference)

Jesus fulfils the wishes of his brothers and enters the public arena in Jerusalem. Nowhere could be more public than the temple court of Gentiles. Here Jesus faces his critics and was fully exposed to his opponent's taunts. Jesus was always prepared to answer the questions of his adversaries and confront those who opposed him. He did not lead a sheltered existence like many modern religious leaders and academics. Indeed there is a tendency for many fundamentalist Christian groups to bar dissidents from their forums, assemblies and symposiums. I cannot attend the pastors and elders forum of my own association of churches because I do not agree with all the doctrines that make that association distinctive. I sometimes wonder if Jesus, himself, would be welcome!

(B) Ignorant opponents.

Jesus' enemies, which included the Jewish leaders and many residents of Jerusalem, were ignorant of:

(1) His early history.

(a) Some of the better educated and sophisticated people of Jerusalem rejected Jesus because they thought they knew all about his origins and background. "But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no-one will know where he is from. v27."

A popular Jewish belief, for which there was no foundation in Scripture, was that the Messiah would burst suddenly upon the scene from no-one knew where. The Jerusalem elite realised that the family of Jesus was well known and that he had worked for many years as a carpenter in Nazareth. As far as they were aware there was no mystery about his origins. How wrong they were!

(b) There were others who rejected Jesus because he was associated with Nazareth in Galilee rather than Bethlehem in Judea. Members of the crowd said: "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived." v42. The leaders of the Jews said to Nicodemus: "Are you from Galilee too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee." v52.

It is quite true that Messiah's birth of David's line in the town of Bethlehem was foretold by the prophet. That is where Jesus was born! So why didn't Jesus tell the people about his miraculous conception and the events surrounding his birth? Nowhere in the gospels do we read that Jesus publicised the many wonders accompanying his birth. The only reason I can think of for Christ's reticence is that the only witness to the nativity story was his mother. If Jesus talked about his immaculate conception Mary would be questioned. She would be exposed to ridicule and danger. Jesus was not prepared to put his mother's life in jeapardy.

The lesson for us is that before we leap to conclusions and pass judgment we need to be sure of our facts. In 19th century Prussia the poor refused to believe in the existence of cholera; noting that the eruption of the disease coincided with the arrival of doctors in their slums they drew the inexorable logical conclusions that doctors had poisoned them! Hard though it is to believe I have known Christian ladies get into a terrible state because the pastor does not smile at them and greet them warmly. The ladies think that they have in some way offended the pastor when all the time he is preoccupied with his indigestion.

(2) God the Father.

Jesus said to the Jewish leaders: "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true (real). You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me." v28and29.

This was a brave thing for Jesus to say! He responded ironically to the residents of Jerusalem's assertion: "But we know where this man is from. v27. He said, "You think you know me and where I am from. Let me tell you the one who sent me and from whom I come is real." In other words the one who sent Jesus was not a figment of his imagination. He was not making up a tall story. Finally Jesus claimed to know the one who sent him and said to the Jews: "You do not know him."

The Jews knew exactly what Jesus meant. At this they tried to seize him, but no-one laid a hand on him because his time had not yet come. Jesus made a terrible accusation - that the religious leaders did not know God. If the law against incitement to religious hatred proposed by the present Labour Government had been in operation in the time of Jesus he would undoubtedly have fallen foul of it!

The Pharisees did not know God. They believed in an exacting, legalistic deity who demanded obedience to the Law. God's favour could be earned by keeping the law. Indeed they could put God under an obligation to them by obeying the commandments.

Jesus knew that God was not like that. He would have said with David that: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart O God, you will not despise." v17. In the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector it was the man who prayed: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" who went home: "Justified before God." For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Lk18v13and14.

Jesus was aware that sinners had to depend upon God's grace. The Son was authorised by his Father to gift eternal life to those that believed in him. Jesus was sent to earth so that by receiving him men and woman might become children of God.

(3) His continuing ministry.

Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come. v34.

This remark was greeted with at worst mockery and at best incredulity. The Jews said said to each other, "Where can he hide that we cannot find him? Is he going to teach the Greeks? What one earth is he on about now?" They were unwilling to face the reality that Jesus was from God and would return to God.

Jesus highlights in his statement the awful cost of rejecting him. This was true for:

(a) The Jewish nation. There were many times in their history that the Jews longed for the Messiah to come - in 70AD during the destruction of Jerusalem and many years later in the 20th century during the years of the holocaust. Jesus warned: "You will look for me, but you will not find me." v34.

There is a warning for all in the words of Jesus as in the earlier advice of Isaiah the prophet: Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Is55v6.

(b) Every privileged individual. The dreadful words: "Where I am, you cannot come" will be true for all those who reject Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Jesus promised all believers, but only believers, "I am going there (my Father's house) to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John14v2and8.

(C) Ineffectual believers.

(1) The whisperers.
John records: Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"
The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. v31and32.

Elements in the crowd were impressed by the miracles that Jesus did and had some faith in him. However they were not very confident or brave - they whispered about him - hardly a bold witness. Where were these believers when Jesus was arrested and tried 6 months later? Perhaps, they shouted, 'Hosanna' while the going was good but during the ordeal of Jesus before the Sanhedrin and Pilate they kept very quiet.

I wonder if we witness in a whisper. Are we so frightened to offend our non-Christian friends, acquaintances, neighbours and workmates that we qualify as a whispering believer.

(2) The impulsive.

After Jesus made his bold proclamation: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come unto me and drink" some people said: "Surely this man is a Prophet" while others said: "He is the Christ." There was a section of the crowd that was impressed by the teaching of Jesus as were the temple guards who said: "No-one ever spoke the way this man does." v46. Jesus spoke with sincerity, conviction, passion and authority.

However, there is no evidence that a significant number of people went to Jesus and drank of the living water. Some had been stirred and declared in the enthusiasm of the moment that Jesus was Messiah. He was for now! Very few made that wholehearted, long-term commitment necessary to benefit from all Jesus had to offer.

Folk like this are to be found in Baptist chapels in Suffolk. When a new pastor comes he is a wonderful man. His praises are sung. The enthusiasts are, as we say, 'all over' the new man. Once the honeymoon is over and it becomes apparent that the pastor is no more perfect than anyone else the loyalty of his effusive admirers is put to the test and often found wanting.

(3) The irresolute.

Nicodemus who was a genuine, committed believer was only prepared to make a half-hearted protest on behalf of Jesus.

The Pharisees upbraided the temple guards for expressing admiration for Jesus by saying: "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?" Now Nicodemus was both a Pharisee and a ruler and he believed in Jesus so he said: "Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" v51. This hardly qualifies as making a stand for Jesus! Nicodemus is soon shut up when the other members of the Sanhedrin reply: "Are you from Galilee too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee." v52. A bit of ridicule was quite sufficient to subdue Nicodemus who was concerned unduly about his reputation.

A desire for popularity and the fear of what others might say and think about us keeps many Christians from standing up for what is right. We should not submit quietly to ridicule or personal abuse.

(D) Christ's great promise. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." v37and38.

(1) The context in which the promise was made.

Each day during the 7 days of the Festival of Tabernacles a priest would go with a golden jug to the Pool of Siloam for about 2 pints of water. He would return to the altar upon which the water was poured out as the people recited Isaiah12v3: "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." This was done in thanksgiving for God's provision of rain and in memory of the water that sprang from the rock at Meribah in the wilderness. See Exodus17vs1to7. In all probability Jesus made his dramatic promise in a loud voice as the water was being poured out.

(2) Jesus promises to satisfy thirsty souls.

Jesus repeats in Jerusalem the promise he made to the Samaritan woman at Sychar's well. What thirst does Jesus satisfy? Speaking personally Jesus satisfies my desire for:

(a) Forgiveness. John Clare had a childhood sweetheart called Mary Joyce. One day he accidentally hit her in the eye with a green walnut and because he did not want to be thought a sissy he laughed with the other boys who thought it funny. But John Clare brooded over the incident all night and the following morning waited anxiously at the church gate until she arrived. There was no need to explain or apologize. She understood. He was forgiven.

There are many times I have hurt God by my callous disregard and unthankfulness. I am so glad that in Jesus there is forgiveness of sins.

(b) Reconciliation. I have just finished reading Leo Tolstoy's short story, 'A spark neglected burns the house.' Two farming families, the Stcherbakofs and Ivanofs, lived side by side in harmony for years until they quarrelled over an egg. The ill will escalated until Gabriel Ivanof watched by Ivan Stcherbakof set fire to the Stcherbakof's barn. The fire got out of control and burned the farm buildings of both families to the ground. The Stcherbakofs and Ivanofs desperately needed to be reconciled. It was left to Ivan's old and dying father to mediate reconciliation. He pleaded with his son: "Mind, Ivan! Don't tell who started the fire! Hide another man's sin, and God will forgive two of yours!" And the old man took the candle in both hands and, folding them on his breast, sighed, stretched out, and died.
Ivan did not say anything against Gabriel, and no one knew what had caused the fire.
And Ivan's anger against Gabriel passed away, and Gabriel wondered that Ivan did not tell anybody. At first Gabriel felt afraid, but after awhile he got used to it. The men left off quarrelling, and then their families left off also.

I am glad that Jesus is my mediator and that he has mediated reconciliation between me and God through his own shed blood. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Heb9v14.

(c) Acceptance. In my heart there is a longing to be embraced and accepted. Last week my friend Tommy and I were reunited in Bury St Edmunds with Mr and Mrs Sagawa and Shiho who had been kind to us when we visited Japan three years ago. The Japanese are not renowned for being demonstrative. It was, therefore, a special pleasure when one after the other Mr and Mrs Sagawa and Shiho opened wide their arms and hugged me.

I know that I am accepted into God's family through my belief in Jesus. I have been given the right to be a child of God. I can call God my father and Jesus is my older brother. The Holy Spirit has assured me that I am a welcome member of the great family of the redeemed.

(d) Usefulness. Little children like to help their mum or dad. A few years ago when I attended the church 'drop in' organised by my brother in Clapham, London, I was pleased to watch five-year-old Charis help her grandmother lay the tables for the evening meal.

I want to be useful to God. Since I have been adopted into his family through belief in Jesus God has found me work to do. He has not asked me to undertake any grand task but many little jobs have been put my way.

(e) Sustaining grace. I am a very vulnerable Christian - with many weaknesses of temperament and disposition. God has not changed my disposition but for the sake of his dear Son my Saviour he has spared me many temptations and delivered me from evil. Jesus has kept me in the narrow way that leads to life and kept me from falling.

(f) Significance. James tells us: What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James5v14. I, along with many others, long to be of more significance than this. We shrink from the idea that we are of no more relevance than a weed in the field that withers and fades with the rising sun.

Jesus gives us hope and significance by promising eternal life to all who believe in him. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you. 1Pet1v3and4.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold I freely give
The living water, thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink and live.
I came to Jesus and I drank
Of that life-giving stream,
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived
And now I live in Him.

(3) Jesus, by his Spirit, makes us a blessing to others.

Some controversy exists over the Scripture: "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." v38. There are two difficulties:
(a) No Old Testament Scripture matches the reference of Jesus.
(b) Does the 'him' at the end of verse 38 refer to Jesus or the believer?
I think the 'him' is most likely to refer to the believer because:
(a) This is consistent with what Jesus told the Samaritan woman: "The water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John4v14.
(b) John sees Jesus' statement as referring to the Holy Spirit that was poured out from Pentecost onwards making believers a blessing to others.

So how should believers be like streams of living water? By:

(a) Refreshing others.

Nothing is more refreshing for a weary and thirsty traveller than a river of sparkling unpolluted water. Christians should refresh others by being cheerful, appreciative and encouraging. I can sometimes be morose and miserable as some of my pupils could testify. However when I visit the old and sick I am generally light-hearted and lively. I bring some laughter into their homes and raise their spirits - or so it seems to me!

(b) Replenishing others.

Rivers are still used to replenish water supplies when reservoirs are empty. Christians sometimes need to draw strength from their sisters and brothers. We can replenish the supply of faith of a spiritually dry believer by showing integrity, fortitude, perseverance and hope in the trials of life. It always does me good when I visit Henry and Jesse, much handicapped by old age and ill health, to witness the unquenchable brightness of their spirits.

(c) Restoring others.

Nothing restores a person who has become dehydrated through being lost at sea or in the desert better than water. The Good Samaritan shows us how Christians can be like living water. There is no shortage of wounded, bruised and damaged people who need compassion, care and help.

Philip Yancey has a chapter in his book, 'Finding God in unexpected places', entitled, 'Eccentric on the front lines'. It is about Louise Adamson who has a 'Jericho Road ministry' in Chicago. This is the sort of thing she does: "Yesterday a mother I'd been working with called me around supper time. I went right over and found her sitting in the middle of the floor with bruises all over her face. Her husband had been beating her again. She had a big bottle of prescription medicine beside her on the floor, and she told me she'd been fighting all day not to take it. Two kids were crying their lungs out in the next room. I had brought some groceries with me, so we cooked a dinner, calmed the kids down, and spent two hours cleaning the house together. By the end of that time we were both singing hymns as we worked."

It is not easy being a Good Samaritan - first of all we need to go to the Lord Jesus Christ to satisfy our own thirst and to receive the resources that will help us bring blessing to others.

How I praise Thee, precious Saviour,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me,
That I might Thy channel be.
Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Ev'ry day and ev'ry hour