Quench His Thirst
19 October, 2013

Teaser_bible-prayinghands

Jesus said, “I thirst.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:28-30

For six long hours, Jesus hung naked on a cross of shame with nails driven deep through this wrists and blood oozing down His sides. At one point, Jesus looked up and stated a phrase often overlooked by Bible readers: "I thirst."

Earlier in Jesus' career, He told the woman at the well He was the source of living water. He explained He can offer an abundant flow of heavenly nourishment by quenching our innate yearning to know God. All through Jesus' ministry, He serves as a vessel of overflowing water, pouring into the sick, lost, and demon-possessed.

Why is Jesus suddenly in need of Earthly water? In John 4:32, He tells His apostles He relies not on Earthly nourishment but on Heavenly fuel. Why, then, does He ask for a sip of drink? Whats changed?

The reason is simple. Jesus spent His 33-year life focused on one mission: loving. Now that He's on the verge of death, never to return to Earth in full human form again, He deeply longs for us to quench His thirst like He quenched ours. Just as He loved us, so we should love Him. He thirsts for a relationship with us, regardless of our past, present, or future sins.

Jesus didn't ask because He wanted to meet a physical need; He didn't care whether He'd receive an actual cup or not. What He truly wants, along with God the Father, is intimacy.

There's a reason this was His last statement; Jesus humbly asked we return the love He so generously gave us. It's as if He was saying, "Will you love me now that I've given my life for you?"

Accept His request. Satiate His thirst.
 

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