Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whoever will… I. WHAT IS IMPLIED THE THIRSTING HERE SPOKEN OF. 1. Do any make the things of this world the chief object of their thirst? Our Lord tells them how they should regulate their desires, and which way they ought to turn them (Psalm 4:6). 2. If any thirst after righteousness — either the righteousness of justification or sanctification — they must apply to Jesus Christ in order to obtain the necessary mercies (1 Corinthians 1:30). 3. If any thirst after Jesus Christ and His grace; such are called in the text. This thirst is a fruit of spiritual life: for how can a soul thirst after Jesus unless the soul knows Him, and, in some measure, the need it stands in of an interest in Him; and His suitableness to the wants of the soul? 4. If any thirst after happiness — though this thirsting may be found where there is nothing but common convictions, no desire after holiness, but only a desire to be saved from misery, not from sin — yet Jesus calls such to come to Him for that happiness which they desire. Would you be happy hereafter? Then you must begin with Christ now; He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (1) Spiritual thirst proceeds from a sense of the soul's wants: either grace and holiness, or the increase of these mercies. (2) Souls spiritually athirst are pained and uneasy in their minds till they obtain the very mercy desired. (3) Spiritual thirst centres in Christ; souls spiritually athirst have their chief inquiries and desires after Him and His benefits as the Water of Life; and Himself as the Fountain of all grace and blessedness. (4) Spiritual thirst after Jesus Christ, His grace, righteousness, and holiness is laborious; it is willing to be at any pains, in God's way, to gain satisfaction, or have its desires answered. II. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST INVITES EVERY THIRSTY SOUL TO COME TO HIM. 1. What this coming is. It is believing in Jesus Christ (John 6:35). Not an act of the body, but of the soul. The consent of the will. Receiving and resting upon Christ alone for salvation. We first come to Christ by faith, and then to God by Him. 2. To whom convinced sinners should come for relief. To Jesus Christ. He is very God; and, as Mediator between God and man, He has an all-fulness in Him. 3. Who are the persons that Jesus calls to come to Him. III. HOW ARE WE TO UNDERSTAND THE EXPRESSION "WHOSOEVER WILL." IV. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL ABUNDANTLY SATISFY EVERY THIRSTY SOUL THAT COMES TO HIM. This is evident — 1. By the frequent repetition of His calls and invitations to sinners to return and come to Him for His benefits. 2. From the many instances of those that came to Jesus Christ, in the days of His ministry upon earth, for some bodily favour, either for themselves or friends or relations. 3. By the experience of every true believer. V. WHAT DO NEEDY SOULS FIND IN JESUS CHRIST UPON THEIR COMING TO HIM? 1. He that has natural thirst is willing to be at any reasonable cost for something to satisfy his thirst: for he knows that if he has not timely relief he is in danger of his life. So the soul that thirsts after Jesus Christ and His grace is willing to part with all for Him; for he knows that Christ has enough in Him to satisfy all his spiritual desires. 2. That which satisfies natural thirst will be highly esteemed (Job 23:12; Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 119:97). 3. If the soul is truly athirst after Jesus Christ and His grace, nothing short of Christ will satisfy it. 4. A thirsty man will be glad of, and thankful for, seasonable relief. 5. The thirsty man's desires are not satisfied once for all, but he must have new supplies (John 6:34; 1 Peter 2:3, 4). 6. A thirsty man will be willing to take any pains to obtain his desires. Such will come to the fountain, and sit at the pool, and wait at the posts of wisdom's gates; they will honour the ordinances of Jesus Christ by a careful attendance on them, or rather on God in them, in order to obtain the mercies that their souls want. To such as have experienced this thirsting after Jesus Christ and His benefits, and have been made willing to come to Him, and look for salvation from Him upon His own terms. Be very thankful to God for what He has discovered to you, and wrought in and for you. Give thanks to God for the fulness of Jesus Christ as Mediator, prepared for the supply of needy souls; and then for His showing you, by the gospel, the fulness of grace that is in Christ. Give thanks to God for drawing you. Take care to exert and lay out for the honour and glory of God and for the exaltation of Jesus Christ, for the service of His kingdom and the good of souls whatsoever you have received from Him. Oh let Him have the honour of His grace. (W. Notcutt.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. |
    |