When we get thirsty, we often have a taste for a specific drink. We will often say something like, “I could go for an iced coffee/soda/milkshake right about now!” Sometimes we are thirsty for things that are good for us and sometimes we are thirsty for things that are not so good for us. What things do we thirst after that do not align with God’s heart?
His Powerful Prophecy is Fulfilled
Fulfillment: John 19:28-29 -- “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst.’ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.”
Prophecy: Psalm 69:21, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
Everything about the promised Messiah is fulfilled in Jesus Christ! In fact, this is only one of over 300 Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah that are fulfilled in Jesus. God is true to His Word then AND now! However, sometimes, the modern-day church will mistrust God’s Word when it comes to other areas of our lives. For example:
Trusting culture over Biblical authority so that the church appears more inclusive and modern.
Adopting twisted moral values and Biblical gender identity over Biblical authority. This views the physical relationship outside of marriage as normal and calls a man a woman because it is loving and understanding...regardless of what the Bible says.
Choosing comfort over Biblical authority. This drives the church to doubt God’s goodness and sovereignty in hard times. Comfort becomes more important than what the Bible says.
Withholding tithes and offering because God’s blessing over faithful stewardship is met with unbelief. A distrust of God’s provision is chosen over Biblical authority.
Prayer is not practiced faithfully, and human effort is lifted higher than Divine power. Sometimes this is because of unbelief and sometimes it is because of pride or laziness.
Holding on to emotional or physical wounds and bitterness instead of choosing God’s call to love and forgive.
This mistrust of God’s Word settles for a surface-level faith and doubts the transformative power of God’s Word. Know God’s Word well and be encouraged by it.
His Astounding Selflessness is Displayed
Now that all else is cared for, Jesus addresses a personal need. The Bible says, “After this.” After Jesus had just taken care of His mother, He turns to soften His own agony with something to drink.
Christ is suffering but still concerned for others first
Christ is wrongly accused but still concerned for others
Christ yielded to the will of His Father, received hardship, but is still concerned for others
Christ is near death, but is still concerned for others
Mark 10:45 goes as far as to say that Christ did not come to be served, but that He came to serve others and sacrifice His own life! Elsewhere in the New Testament, Christ told a crowd in Matthew 22 that the greatest commands are to love God and to love others. Jesus remained God focused, and others minded even from the position of extreme pain. This is a challenge to us all to sharpen our focus on God and think of others before ourselves (no matter our own circumstances).
His Last Agony is Revealed– “I thirst”
Compare to Matt. 27; Mk. 15; Lk. 23. The gospel of John leaves out many personal interactions that the other gospels include, but John includes this phrase that the others do not! John doesn’t mention:
The supernatural darkness
The rending of the temple veil
The testimony of the Centurion
The quote from Psalm 22 – “Eloi, Eloi…”
The insults at His dying agonies
But he did include this phrase, “I thirst!” His wounds were highly inflamed. He most likely had a raging fever (usually caused by the sufferings on the cross) … and these were accompanied by thirst.
He is severely weakened from His wounds and needed fluids, and Psalm 22:15 even prophecies of this very thing.
THIS PHRASE “I THIRST” SHOWS 5 THINGS:
Jesus was fully human
Jesus fulfilled prophecy
Jesus willingly suffered
Jesus completed His mission
Jesus thirsted so that we would be eternally satisfied
So, I pray that this two-word phrase (“I thirst”) reminds us of a few important things.
Jesus did not bypass the pain of the cross. He suffered willingly for each of us! The old gospel songwriter put the challenge this way, “I gave my life for thee, what hast thou done for me?”
Jesus said “I thirst” to fulfill scripture. He was committed to obedience. Are we committed to obeying God and His word?
Jesus thirsted physically so that we would never have to thirst spiritually. What are you thirsting for?
In conclusion, I would like to ask the same question in a few different ways. What things do you thirst after that does not align with God’s heart? What are you thirsting for that God hasn’t called you to pursue? Are you letting your thirst be shaped by the world or by the Word? Is your thirst leading you closer to God or farther away from God?