After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now
finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst Jn 19:28(ASV).
Why was Jesus thirsty? Often the scripture speaks on
two planes – the spiritual and the physical. I believe His thirst was in two
planes too. Why? Consider a previous experience where thirst was manifest: Jesus, tired out by the journey, sat down by the well.
It was about noon. A Samaritan woman
came to draw water, and Jesus told her, "Please give me a drink," Jn
4:6-7(ISV). But there was a deeper thirst – a hunger and
thirst for the soul of the Samaritan woman, for the men of Sychar. The people left the town and started on their way to
him. Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, have something to
eat." But he told them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing
about." Jn 4:30-32(ISV). That thirst could not be quenched by physical
means. Jesus told them, "My
food is doing the will of the one who sent me and completing his work” Jn
4:34(ISV).
On this occasion
it is well past noon. He had been on the cross for six hours; a sleepless
night, cruel beatings and scourging by soldiers had happened before that. Definitely He
was thirsty! Yet there was a deeper
thirst. A thirst you and I are linked to. Isaiah prophesied of this deeper
thirst and spoke of its fulfillment. He
shall see of the travail of his soul, and
shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;
for he shall bear their iniquities Is 53:11 (KJV). His thirst is relieved in the salvation of
sinners. What relieves your thirst?
Twice now we see
Jesus being offered physical substitutes for a deeper thirst. Do we share in
this deeper thirst for souls or are we seeing only physical needs? Is all you
offer Jesus on the physical plane? Money, donations, sacrifices? Structures and
projects alone? Jesus rejected the physical food offered by His disciples in
the presence of a deeper thirst. Are you giving Him your life, your worship
your attention and devotion? Are you offering up souls? (Rom15:16) He
thirsts for that: True worshipers
will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Indeed, the Father is looking for
people like that to worship him Jn 4:23(ISV).
Are you thirsty too? The unbelieving sought to
quench His thirst with wine. A jar of sour wine was standing there, so they
put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth Jn 19:29(ISV). Are you trying to fill your thirst with alcohol, women (i.e. sexual pleasure), fame and money? Those who want to get rich keep toppling into
temptation and are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires that plunge them
into destruction and ruin
1Tm6:9 (ISV). Jesus is the water of
life. But
whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never become thirsty again.
The water that I will give him will become a well of water for him, springing
up to eternal life." Jn 4:14(ISV). Come to Jesus and
thirst no more! Rev
22:17
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