Day 25

John 7-9

“Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.” John 7:2 ESV

The Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is called “Sukkot.” God gives Moses instructions for this Feast in Leviticus 23. 

There were three main rituals observed during this time, two of which Jesus draws distinct parallels to: 1) the water-drawing ceremony, 2) the illumination of the Temple, and 3) the building of booths. 

1. The water drawing ceremony. 

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38 ESV

When Jesus mentioned “living water,” He was making a connection between the water being drawn during this ceremony and the “wells of salvation” mentioned in Isaiah 12:3. 

“With joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

2. The illumination of the temple.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 ESV

Jesus calls himself “the light of the world,” referring to another symbol of this holiday. This was a bold claim. Jesus, however, closes this chapter with an even bolder claim:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’” John 8:58 ESV

In summary, Jesus was showing that the feast being observed ultimately pointed to Himself. Blinded by insecurity, pride, and the love of religion - the pharisees and scribes could not see the parallel.