three feast discussed in john Essays - Jewish Holy Days, Christology

Jesus Christ presents Himself as the Messiah. There are plenty of underlying symbolisms that Jesus correlates with the Feasts of the Tabernacles. God in His ultimate plan presents an awesome illustration for Jewish people to see clearly that Christ was and is the Messiah. For the most part, the Jews have rejected Christ. In the book of John 7:38-39, Christ displays an underlying symbolism in regards to the Feast of the Tabernacles. The Jews practiced reading scriptures about ?the water? that was provided while wondering in the desert Exodus 17:6. Jesus Christ states in John 7:38 ?That out of His belly will flow Living Waters.? Also, in the Elmer Towns textbook, John Believe and Live (page 74), this is discussed as well. Elmer Towns states that one can draw the conclusion that the reference to Living Waters is directly associated with the scripture that is read. These scriptures are about the water in the wilderness from the Old Testament. Jesus Christ gave His life, body, and spirit to the believer. Another underlying symbolism is the eight days of the Feast of the Tabernacles. In Matthew Henry?s Commentary volume 1 page 541 discusses the eight days of the Feast of Tabernacle in great detail. The number eight represents Jesus Christ. Also, the first and last days of the festival are a time of rest. We as Believer?s are to rest in Christ, due to the fact that Believers are free from sin. The building of the booths made of poplar and palm branches and the movement of these booths during days two through day seven, represent the wandering that the Israelites experienced, in the wilderness. This is discussed in Matthew Henry?s Commentary volume 1 page 541. The symbolism here is that earth is not our permanent home, and heaven is our eternal home. Alone, it is impossible to be a Believer without Christ. Christ is the bridegroom and we are the bride as Christians. The illumination of the temple at the Feast of the Tabernacles is one of the most unique underlying symbolisms. In the book, Jesus is the Christ, written by Leon Morris; Mr. Morris discusses how Jesus Christ claimed in John 8:12 ?I am the light of the world.?(page 112) and how the representation of the lighting of the candelabra have direct under tones. Although, Dr. Morris states that ?Christ would of made this statement after the fire was extinguished.? Mr. Morris also states in his book that this may also be in reference to the pillar of fire in Exodus.