John 7   This chapter shows us the great amount of confusion and controversy about Jesus.  His own brothers did not believe in Him and challenged Him to go to Jerusalems where they knew He was in danger.  The people were divided in their opinions, some saying He was the Messiah and some judging Him falsely.  Jesus is not surprised or concerned about the opinions of any one.

He has one focus.. to speak the Words of the Father.

Jesus has already proclaimed that He is the Bread of Life.  Now, He makes another profound statement - " If anyone is thirsty, let him keep coming to Me and drinking! Whoever puts his trust in Me.. rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!" 

The invitation is clear - come eat.. come drink.. come receive Jesus.  

John 1:16 "for of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace." 
Ephesians 1:22-23 " And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all." 
Ephesians 3:19 " .. and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God." 
Colossians 1:19 "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him." 
Colossians 2:9 " For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form." 

Fulness - filled up; complete; replete; absolutely and totally filled.

In a devotional by Andrew Murray I read this about the statement in John 1:16, " Read these words until you are gripped by the transcendent fullness of Christ.  Let the Spirit lead you into worship appropriate to the One in whom all fulness dwells."  Do we live like paupers, Murray writes, or have we come to know the Christ in whom "all fulness dwells" ?  It is God's will and plan for us that Christ should fill us.. completely. 

Come eat. Come drink. Come receive from His fulness.  It's an open invitation.  But, it does require total commitment... keep coming.. keep drinking.. keep abiding.  Like Paul the apostle we must learn that everything else is rubbish.. ( Phil. 3:8)

Father God,  You alone are holy and worthy of praise.  You are the Creator and our Sovereign King.  You have declared the fulness of Christ and have made it possible for us to receive life from Him.  To be filled by Him and with Him. You have given us, who have trusted Jesus, Your Holy Spirit.. living water that flows from our inmost being . Everything is in Christ. He is all we need.   May we hear this Truth and receive it into our hearts and minds.. transform us through the power of Your love and grace in Jesus Christ the Lord.  Grip us with the wonder of the fulness of Christ.. who fills us.
Fill us.. all in all.. we pray. Amen.