I Thirst

When Jesus was on the cross, about to breathe His last, He said something that, on the surface, seems like kind of an ordinary thing to say. Jesus said He was thirsty. I would think that just about anybody would be seeking a drink if they had experienced the kind of day that Jesus had.

"After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” - John 19:28

My questions is: Why did Jesus say that? Was He indeed thirsty? Or was it something else? Isn't yelling out that He was thirsty a selfish thought? Jesus NEVER had a selfish thought - a thought about His own well-being never happened. He was always concerned about serving others and doing what His Father wanted Him to do.

Let's go back a bit in the Book of John to John 4. Jesus is waiting by Jacob's well for a divine appointment with a Samaritan woman.

"When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” - John 4:7

Do you think Jesus was actually thirsty? Or was He striking up a conversation with a Samaritan to spread the good news? Jews traditionally avoided Samaritans. It says so in John 9.

"The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans). - John 4:9

Then Jesus said this:

"Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” - John 4:10

Now, it says right there that Jesus HAD living water. He had it with Him. Why then, when He was on the cross, did Jesus suddenly become thirsty? Hold that thought.

Skipping ahead to John 10, we can find part of our answer.

"I and my Father are one." - John 10:30

Why was Jesus on the cross in the first place? He was taking our punishment upon Himself.

"God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians  5:21

Jesus took OUR sin upon HIMSELF. In doing that for us He became separated from God. God hates sin. Separation from God was something Jesus had never experienced before in His eternal life. Jesus was totally alone. I think Jesus was 'thirsty' for His Father.

"I thirst!"

He said that and then He died. Resurrected, He no longer thirst for His Father. He was then eternally sitting at the Father's right hand.

Are you and I as thirsty for God as Jesus was on that cross? We should be. We are filled with sin. We sin every day and are thus separated from God. Yet, Jesus died on the cross to take our punishment upon Himself . . . that we might NEVER thirst. That WE might become God's righteousness. HIS righteousness.

Have you tasted the 'living water' that Jesus offers?

Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin