The Gospel of John provides key insights about the Person of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More, particularly in chapters 14 to 16, and His work. In chapters 3, 4, and 7, the Lord Jesus speaks directly about the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More and provides significant teachings.

New Life (John 3)

The central theme of John 3 is "Born of water and the Spirit." Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, visits Jesus at night to engage in conversation. However, Jesus quickly addresses the core issue by stating, "You must be born again" (v. 7). In response to Nicodemus' inquiries, He explains how someone is born again—specifically, "of water and the Spirit" (v. 5). Here, the "water" symbolizes the Word of God, through which the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More imparts new, divine life. This life originates from God Himself (e.g., John 1:13). It is characterized as something entirely new (see also 2 Corinthians 5:17), and its inception is through the Spirit of God.

By nature, no human being possesses life from God; we are all born with a sinful nature. This is why we need to experience the new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More brought about by the Spirit. The need for this new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More has existed since the fall of man, not just since the arrival of the Lord on earth. From Genesis 3 onward, we witness the work of the Spirit of God in people because, without the new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More, no sinner can be saved. In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus references truths from the Old Testament, expressing His astonishment that this learned scribe could not understand Him (v. 10).

Through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, we receive new life, enabling us, in principle, to have fellowship with God. Believers in the age of grace live with the firm belief that they have received this life in its richest form, as reflected in the terms "eternal life" and "abundant life" (John 10:10). “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More, that you may know that you have eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God... More.” (1 John 5:13). This confident knowledge is not arrogance; it is grounded in God's Word.

A Spring of Living Water (John 4)

John 4 takes us further. The incarnate Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More, weary from His journey, sits by the well in Sychar and asks a woman for a drink. In His conversation with this woman, known to be a sinner, we hear His magnificent words: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”(vv. 13-14).

This teaching extends beyond the new nature created by the Spirit. John 3 reveals that only divine life can recognize God and have fellowship with Him. The new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More is the prerequisite and beginning of this life. However, we do not only need life; we also need the inner strength that enables fellowship with the Father and the Son in practical terms. This is precisely what is emphasized in John 4.

A respected 19th-century Bible commentator stated: "God gives not only a new nature but also a corresponding power that works in us. He provides that which empowers this new nature to act and is the source of all joy inherent in the divine nature. In short, it is not merely a question of possessing eternal life; He also gives us the Holy Spirit" (W. Kelly).

Thus, the spring of living water symbolizes the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More, who dwells within us as a source of power. The emphasis here is less on His presence in us as a person and more on the fact that we possess Him as a dynamic force within. A spring (or fountain) has the inherent ability to cause water to bubble up continuously. We require such a source of strength to live in communion with God. It's important to note that the source of power is not eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God... More itself but the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. Eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God... More within us cannot be a source in itself because we possess it in a state of dependence. However, the Spirit dwelling in us provides the power we need to fulfill our new life.

Additionally, we can find the connection between John 3 and 4 in Romans 8. In verse 2, the Spirit is described as our life: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." In verse 4, we see the Spirit as the power within us: "so that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

So, how does this source of living water and the power of the Spirit work in us?

1. A Source of Joy: It originates from God's unlimited grace. In John 4:10, the Lord Jesus says, "If you knew the gift of God..." While we often think of the Lord Jesus when we hear the term "gift of God," it may be more accurate to understand it as the sum of all blessings that God provides. Here, God is presented as the Giver, not the One who demands.
2. A Source of Satisfaction: This source meets all the needs of those born of God. It is inexhaustible and never runs dry. If we, as children of God, still feel thirsty, it is often because we are living according to our carnal nature instead of the Spirit. However, when we draw from this source within us, we are uplifted to complete joy and freedom, even under challenging circumstances.
3. A Source of Fellowship and Worship: This source enables us to have fellowship with the Father and the Son and to worship the Father. The Holy Spirit guides us to worship as much as in worship itself. Christian worship is "in spirit and truth." One of the highlights of the Lord's teaching in this chapter is His statement: "For the Father is seeking such as these to be His worshippers." This worship does not adhere to human regulations or Old Testament ceremonies given by God but occurs in the freedom of the Spirit. It is a joy to belong to the "true worshippers."

In summary, in John 4, we recognize the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More as the source of our strength and joy, enabling us to have genuine fellowship with the Father and the Son in worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More.

Rivers of Living Water (John 7)

In John 7, the Lord's teaching expands once again. He speaks of living water, specifically identifying it as the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More: “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, 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 SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:37-39, NKJV)

When reading these verses, we can identify three important points:

1. Context of the Feast: The Lord Jesus spoke these words on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of great joy and gratitude for the Israelites, celebrated after the harvest. This feast marked one of the highlights of the Jewish calendar year. It is significant that the Lord Jesus proclaims on this very day, "If anyone thirsts, let him come..." This indicates that the blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More being discussed goes beyond any earthly gifts and is not dependent on them.
2. Symbolism of the Eighth Day: The eighth day of the feast is noteworthy, as the number 8 often denotes something new, which may be connected to the past but signifies a fresh start. This reminds us that the blessing we are discussing is completely new. Although the Holy Spirit is acknowledged in the Old Testament, He is presented here in a way that is unprecedented. The Lord Jesus promises to give the Spirit to those who believe in Him, a blessing never available in the Old Testament. Therefore, verse 39 emphasizes that the Spirit was not yet present "because Jesus had not yet been glorified." The fulfillment of this promise occurs on the day of PentecostThis name (Greek) is used twice in the New Testament and means "the fiftieth day.” This refers to the 50th day after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This day... More in Acts 2.
3. The Identity of the Speaker: In John 4, the Son of God spoke to the woman at Jacob's well; here, it is the Son of Man, who has been rejected by the world, who calls out. As the Son rejected by this world, He died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into the glory of heaven. As the glorified Son of Man, He now sends the Holy Spirit to unite believers with Himself. The Spirit serves as the "divine link" between Him and us, allowing us to partake in His positionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... More on earth.

Ultimately, we see the Lord Jesus as the One who can fulfill all our needs. His message, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink," emphasizes that no one can quench the soul's thirst like Him. Yet, He offers even more: with the Holy Spirit, He provides a fullness of blessing that is independent of earthly pleasures and never diminishes. "Whoever believes in Me, out of his body will flow rivers of living water." Therefore, the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More becomes a source of life and blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More, not only for ourselves but also for others.

a) Blessing for Ourselves

In this section, we want to consider two key areas:

1. The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More connects us with ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More in glory by uplifting our thoughts. He is familiarizing us with the glory and blessings of heaven, allowing us to enjoy them in our current lives. The Spirit aims to spark our interest in what brings the Lord ultimate satisfaction. If we often find ourselves thinking so little about Him, might it be because we are allowing ourselves to be filled too little with the rivers of living water?
2. Our focus on Christ in glory enables us to view this world through a different lens. While it may feel like a desert for faith, we can resonate with the sons of Korah: "When they pass through the valley of tears, they make it a place of springs; yes, the early rain covers it with blessings" (PsalmPsalm simply means "song." In the Old Testament, this word only occurs in connection with the Psalms of David and the Book of Psalms. Singers sang a psalm with instrumental... More 84:7). The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More desires to refresh us in this way.

b) Blessings for Others

The phrase "Out of whose body shall flow rivers of living water" represents the natural outcome when the Spirit dwells within us, and we allow ourselves to be filled by Him. The Spirit serves not only as a source of blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More for ourselves but also for those around us, whether they are believers or unbelievers. The main idea here is to witness to others. As we enjoy our glorified Lord, we are prepared to testify on His behalf. There is a person and a power within us that enables us to share with others what fills us. When we are filled to overflowing with our Lord, we naturally pass this richness on to others.

If we often feel that our testimony is weak and powerless, could it be that we are hindering the Spirit from filling us with the glory of our Lord through our own behavior? We must not shy away from this question.

Do we realize that God's goal for our lives is to place us under the influence of the Holy Spirit's activity? This way, He can fill us with the glory of the Lord so that we are led to worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More while also becoming a blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More to those around us. Let us keep this goal in sight.