“Later, knowing that all was now completed and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ’I am thirsty’” (John 19:28).
It
is one of the ultimate ironies of the biblical story that Jesus cried
out “I thirst.” He who is the water of life now dies of thirst. Jesus
has not complained at all about his physical condition through all the
hours of suffering. When they put the crown on his head he didn’t say
“Oh, my head.” When they ripped the beard from his face he didn’t say
“Oh, my face.” When they scourged him he didn’t say “Oh, my back." As
the old spiritual has it, through all that they did to him, “He never
said a mumblin’ word.”
Now at last Jesus cries out in the last
moments of his life, “I thirst.” This is the only reference he made to
all the sufferings he underwent. Why is that? When Jesus hung on the
cross he knew that his work had been completed. He knew that he had
borne the sins of the human race. He knew that he had done everything
he could for you and for me. And having done what God sent him to
do—having cared for the needs of others—only then does he make a
comment about his own intense suffering.
Let us learn the lesson
well. Your sufferings do not necessarily mean you are out of the will
of God. It is entirely possible that you may do everything God wants
you to do and still suffer terribly. Even so, your suffering may yet be
redeemed into something much greater than you can imagine. Jesus
pointed the way when he cried, “I thirst.” That was Friday. On Sunday
he rose from the dead to become a gushing spring of Living Water.
Run
to the cross. Cling to it. Embrace the sufferings of Christ. Though
this cannot lessen your pain, it may give you strength to carry on.
Jesus suffered before you; he also suffered for you. Child of God,
remember that as Friday comes before Sunday, so the cross leads on to
the empty tomb. And there is no resurrection unless there is first a
crucifixion.
Lord Jesus, your thirst has provided
Living Water that fills my soul. Eternity will not be too long to
praise you for your great sacrifice. Amen.
You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.