John 7 - The Life Recovery Bible

7:3-10 Jesus experienced firsthand the ridicule and rejection from family that many of us in recovery have experienced. Jesus knew what was right and when to act. He resisted the timetables, agendas, and expectations that others—even his own brothers—foisted upon him. Timetables for recovery, going public, or staging a comeback will vary for each person. Premature publicity of our conversion to Christ or commitment to recovery may lead to unnecessary attacks from others or inflated pride about our personal successes. Either will stand in the way of what God is trying to accomplish in and through our life. Often it is best to remain anonymous until the time is right.

7:10-15, 25-27, 40-49 In this chapter the author polled the audience for opinions about who Jesus actually is. Some believed he was a wonderful teacher. Others thought he was a fraud or a madman. Still others conceded he might be the Messiah or at least a prophet. The religious authorities saw him as a political threat and wanted him arrested, even killed. We, too, must decide who Jesus is and what he means to us. Our decision about Jesus is very important. It will not only affect our recovery; it will have eternal consequences as well (see 8:24).

7:37-39 Jesus is the living water who satisfies our thirst. When we believe in him, he gives us his Spirit. The Holy Spirit becomes an inexhaustible river of living water, welling up in us and flowing through us. The indwelling and eternal Holy Spirit goes with us wherever we go and can quench even our strongest spiritual thirsts and meet our deepest needs. Having this water “on tap” is the key to resisting the temptation of alcohol, food, sex, work, a codependent relationship, or any other compulsion.