Moments to Ponder
Pondering is a lost practice today.
The idea that we might actually take a few moments to think deeply about anything seems indulgent in our busy, full schedules. Yet, our souls crave rest and space to breathe, process our lives, choices, and walk with Jesus. I invite you to join me fora few moments to take in Scripture and take away a few thoughts to ponder throughout your day.
Moments to Ponder
Episode 128: Finding Faith in Ancient Celebrations (John 7)
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Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we often find ourselves cherishing the simple joys that Christmas and New Year bring. Join me, Betsy Marvin, as I share tender memories of family gatherings and festive traditions that warm the heart and soul. This episode takes an evocative turn as we journey back in time to the biblical Feast of Tabernacles, exploring its profound significance in John 7. Delve into the rich tapestry of history and faith as we reflect on God’s provision during the Israelites' wilderness journey, and examine how these ancient celebrations can deepen our understanding of personal faith today.
Just as our bodies thirst for water, our spirits crave nourishment, a concept we explore through the metaphor of "spiritual hydration." Hear my personal tales of forming a habit of daily water intake and how this routine parallels the need for daily spiritual practices. Inspired by Jesus' teachings on living water, we uncover the importance of scripture reading and prayer as daily sustenance for the soul. Embrace the new year by drawing closer to Jesus, finding an abundant overflow of love, hope, joy, and peace to share with others. May this episode not only inspire but also empower you for a spiritually fulfilling journey ahead.
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Hi friends, welcome to Moments to Ponder. This is a podcast designed to help you spend a few moments in God's Word, gain fresh perspectives and find meaningful takeaways to ponder throughout your week. I'm Betsy Marvin and this is episode 128. We are between the holidays. As this episode airs, christmas of 2024 is past and New Year's Eve, leading into 2025, is ahead. These are two very different types of celebration, yet they both are times of joy and hope.
Speaker 1:There's something about holidays they help us reminisce. We remember past Christmases during this time of year, the people we were with or the places we traveled during this time of year the people we were with or the places we traveled. As a child, I can remember Christmas Eve spent in an elementary school, because there were just so many of us. We would play in the gym while the parents caught up. Then, on Christmas Day, it was the other side of the family, with snowmobile rides and ice skating, and those matching dresses that grandmas made, and ice skating and those matching dresses that grandma's made. Today, new Year's Eve is a holiday that brings with it years of sweet memories for me. I went to northern Mexico with my students for over 18 years. New Year's Eve was full of tamales and tacos, with late night worship, laughter, community and joy. We counted down the year in both Michigan and later in the Mexican time zones.
Speaker 1:Just as Christmas is a time of remembering, including remembering the birth of Jesus, god set up many feast holidays for his people as a way to remember historical events that were significant for them as a people, or for a time of gratitude after a harvest. When we look at the Old Testament, we discover so many different types of feasts or celebrations that God instructed his people to observe. There's Passover, first Fruits, hanukkah, pentecost and the Feast of the Tabernacles, along with a few others. Israel was commanded to observe holidays in their present time in order to remember something God had done in the past, and each feast also held a prophetic purpose hidden inside it. For instance, the Passover feast was a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus. So as we begin John 7, it's time for another feast. In fact, john notes many of these different kinds of feasts in his writing. This one is the Feast of the Tabernacles, or it can be called the Feast of Shelters. We can learn about these feasts in Leviticus 23, and this is one of them that required pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In fact, there were three that required this kind of pilgrimage, and they all coincided with a harvest season Passover coincided with the barley harvest in the spring, shabbat was the wheat harvest in summer and Sukkot was the end of the fruit harvest in the fall. Now the Feast of Tabernacles happened during Sukkot, or the Feast of the Booths or the Feast of Shelters, so it was held in the fall and it was eight days long, the first and last days being a Sabbath day.
Speaker 1:This feast celebrated the fruit harvest, of course, but it also honored the historical event noting the 40 years the Israelites had spent in the wilderness and the provision God had given. In Leviticus 23,. We read God's words. He said Live in booths for seven days. So your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord, your God. So this festival was a celebration and a reminder to renew Israel's commitment to God and their trust in his provision.
Speaker 1:One of the unique elements of this feast was building temporary shelters or booths in order to commemorate the tent living of the wilderness. Families built tents and then took their meals in those tents, sometimes even sleeping in them. Imagine the music festivals of today, when everyone camps and spends their days together enjoying the music and the food. I have a feeling that's what this was like. Another unique element of this celebration was called the drawing of water. Water was carried from the pool of Siloam to the temple by the priests and then it was poured on the altar to signify the biblical promise that there would be a time of restoration. Rivers of living water would flow from the temple. This was promised both in Ezekiel and in Zechariah. In Zechariah it says this On that day, life-giving water would flow out of Jerusalem. In Zechariah it says this that's Zechariah 14, 8 and 9. So it's within this context that we begin. John 7. Verse 1. It begins with after this so remember, we've just come out of what John wrote in chapter 6, the walking on water and the people following Jesus and him calling himself the bread of life.
Speaker 1:So after all of that, jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish festival of shelters and Jesus' brothers said to him Leave here and go to Judea where your followers can see your miracles. You can't become famous if you hide like this, if you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world. For even his brothers didn't believe in him. Jesus replied now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I'm not going to this festival because my time has not yet come. After saying these things, after saying these things, jesus remained in Galilee.
Speaker 1:But after his brothers left for the festival, jesus also went though, secretly, staying out of the public view. The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued he's a good man, but others said he's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people. But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
Speaker 1:Then, midway through the festival, jesus went up to the temple and began to preach. The people were surprised when they heard him. How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained? They asked Now, keep in mind that we're halfway through an eight-day festival, so it's like day four. And remember, there's a ritual element that happens at the temple. So every day the people would pack into the temple to see the drawing and the pouring of the water.
Speaker 1:So here's Jesus speaking among all of these people. Many of them would have had no idea who he is or the stir that he's caused. And it's to this audience that Jesus is speaking, verse 16. So Jesus told them for themselves. But a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
Speaker 1:Moses gave you the law, but none of you obey it. In fact, you're trying to kill me. The crowd replied you're demon possessed. Who is trying to kill you? Jesus replied I did one miracle on the Sabbath and you were amazed. But you work on the Sabbath too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. Now, actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs long before the law of Moses. Jesus continues, for if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.
Speaker 1:Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? But here he is, speaking in public and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he's the Messiah? But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear. No one will know where man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear. No one will know where he comes from.
Speaker 1:While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he called out yes, you know me and you know where I come from, but I'm not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don't know him, but I know him because I come from him and he sent me to you. Then the leaders tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him because his time had not yet come. Many among the crowds of the temple believed in him, after all, they said. Many among the crowds of the temple believed in him After all, they said would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done? When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent temple guards to arrest Jesus. But Jesus told them. I'll be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. You will search for me but not find me, and you cannot go where I am going.
Speaker 1:The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. Where is he planning to go, they asked. Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews and other lands? Maybe he'll even teach the Greeks? What does he mean when he says you will search for me but not find me, and you cannot go where I'm going?
Speaker 1:On the last day the climates of the festival. So, for our noting, it's been a few days since this former conversation. On the last day, jesus stood and shouted at the crowds anyone who is thirsty may come to me. Anyone who believes in me may come and drink, for the scriptures declare rivers of living water will flow from his heart. When he sent living water, he was speaking of the Spirit who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory. This is where it's good for us to know a few details about this feast.
Speaker 1:During the festival, the people would focus their prayers on rain, either in gratitude or in need, as this agricultural society would naturally pray for rain. The other element people would pray over is for the resurrection of the dead, restoration For the new life of living water that is supposed to come from the temple spoken of in Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 47, we read of the prophet's vision of the temple of Jerusalem. He sees a new river flowing from under the temple threshold. The river flows to the Dead Sea and makes it fresh, teeming with life. This same image is seen in Revelations 22 as well.
Speaker 1:John notes that it's the last day of the festival, because it's significant. See, on the last day, no water would be carried from the pool of Siloam and poured over the altar because it was the Sabbath. So carrying the water would have been work. The water would have been work. It's on this day, when the altar is dry, that Jesus says if anyone is thirsty, come to me. He is speaking of the prophecy of the living water that will flow. The timing is amazing. The people are literally thinking of the prophecy that Jesus is saying. And he's saying I'm here, I'm the temple, that the water flows out from making everything fresh. Think about that. Jesus is telling the crowd that he is the temple and that through him fresh, living water flows. John does note that the filling of the Holy Spirit is still to come, but Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy, god's refreshing personal presence in each individual as they each become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Of course, this doesn't sit well with the crowd. Let's continue with verse 40.
Speaker 1:When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared surely this man is the prophet we've been expecting. Others said he is the Messiah. Still others said but he can't be. Will the Messiah come from Galilee? For the scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born. So the crowd was divided about him. Some even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Speaker 1:When the temple guards returned, without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded why didn't you bring him in? We have never heard anyone speak like this. The guards responded have you been led astray too? The Pharisees mocked Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? This foolish crowd follows him, but they're ignorant of the law. God's curse is on them. Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier spoke up. Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing, he asked. They replied Are you from Galilee too? Search the scriptures and see for yourself. No prophet ever comes from Galilee too. Search the scriptures and see for yourself. No prophet ever comes from Galilee. It's clear from this final section that they are unaware that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem, but Jesus doesn't take the time to correct them, he just slips away.
Speaker 1:This chapter is sprinkled with those that are struggling to believe His own brothers, those in the crowd and those leading the church. It's as if John wants to be sure that we know. Not everyone is getting it. Some are confused, some are threatened and others just disregard it all. But some did believe. So what do we apply from all of this? I think the application of John 7 lies in the words of Jesus.
Speaker 1:But before we go there, let me ask you a question how much water do you drink in a day? I know this feels random here, but honestly, how much water do you drink a day? Random here, but honestly, how much water do you drink a day? I've been taught that we need to drink half our weight in ounces each day to be fully hydrated. For me to actually do that, I have to carry my water bottle around all day and have it readily available. It has to become a habit and it needs to be built into my daily rhythm in order for me to do it. And even if I don't drink all the ounces I need to, at least I know that I have taken some water in. That will help sustain a healthy life.
Speaker 1:But when it comes to our spiritual life, how many of us go around spiritually dehydrated? We might take big spiritual gulps one day a week, but we barely take a sip the rest of the week and then we wonder why we feel a bit dry. We would never drink water just once a week and call it good. We know we need daily intake throughout our day, but spiritually, do we do the same? We need his living water to sustain a healthy spiritual life. With the Spirit we have full access to this water, but much like carrying a water bottle full and never drinking it, if we don't actually take in His water, it won't hydrate us. We need to remember to take Him with us and spend time in the filling.
Speaker 1:Spiritual hydration is a daily habit.
Speaker 1:It looks like scripture and prayer, trust and commitment, dear one as Jesus was in the temple court that fall day, the crowd around him celebrating the last day of the festival, the altar dry he raised his voice and said I have spiritual water for you, and when you drink it meaning putting your faith in me and relying on and trusting me, just as your forefathers Israelites did in the wilderness the Spirit will pour over you and fill you.
Speaker 1:Those words of Jesus are for us. When we walk around feeling dry, spiritually dehydrated, all we have to do is turn the water on and, dear one, there's more. This source of life is also for others. The wonder of this water is that it's meant to be shared. It flows through you to help others discover the wonder of it. So, as this new year comes, may you seek Jesus and be filled with his living water. May the year ahead be one of spiritual overflowing, of love and hope, joy and peace. May you overflow also with the knowing that, no matter what comes, he is with you and will sustain you. May God bless your year ahead, amen.