Part 1 of 4The events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion are both saddening and wonderful. It was clearly a struggle for our Lord, who literally sweat drops of blood just hours before His greatest trial (Lk 22:44). But how glorious that this was also to be His greatest triumph! The fruit that was effected by this agonizing duty will be realized and recognized for all of eternity! As long as the human spirit is conscious, there will be a Godly gratitude that cannot be adequately explained! We will simply cast our crowns before Jesus, in an insufficient attempt to pour out our great and overwhelming thanks!
In the midst of all the blood, the torment, the mockery, and the pain that Jesus surely was feeling during His crucifixion, He was surprisingly silent; He was intently assured. According to the testimony of Scripture, Jesus only uttered a few phrases, each of them possessing great spiritual significance, of which we will seek to discover. He was not focused on anger and bitterness that would be so common for any ordinary man; He was not dwelling on His clear humiliation; He was not focused on the gross spiritual separation that was necessary as He bore the sin of an evil humanity (Matt 27:46). Rather, He said very few words; Jesus communicated few feelings while on the cross.. but the words uttered from those precious lips reveal the excellencies of the One who suffered there; and inform us of the purpose, meaning, sufferings, and all-sufficiency of the death divine!
Today, I want to see just one instance: In John 19:28, He simply said, "I thirst".
What does this entirely mean? What was it that Jesus thirsted for? Many will say that He was thirsty for a simple drink to soothe His natural cravings, from the natural fountains of men, and this of course is true, and has it's place (Ps 69:21). However, I believe it to be much more than that, for the Bible is primarily a spiritual book (1 Cor 2:13-14; 9:11; Col 1:9). The natural context of "thirst" is of course useful, and full of treasure, but there is a spiritual truth that is communicated here which continually abides, and speaks of an enduring principle. Predominantly, it seems that Jesus craved a drink of love from the hearts of those who were mercilessly killing Him; He thirsted for a sip from the spiritual fountains of men, even the love and devotion of His own. He longed for true fellowship with the very people which His blood was then purchasing.
This small verse of Scripture displays such a marvelous aspect of grace: a redeemed sinner can actually offer that which satisfies the heart of Christ Jesus! The Shulamite woman evidenced this truth when she said, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me" (Song 7:10). What a blessed thought! Job continues to later say, "thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands" (14:15). Of the Bride, the Bible says "So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty" (Ps 45:11). The fulfillment of this divine thirst is the means by which our Lord can take "pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" (Ps 147:11). I can easily understand how His presence can be a blessing to my heart, but what an idea to ponder that God Himself is blessed by my presence! Reader, for this He still thirsts! Grace enables us to offer that which refreshes Him.. what wondrous thoughts!
It's interesting that in John 4:7, Jesus asks the Samaritan woman "Give Me to drink" - for He sat there wearied from His journey - but He never actually took a sip of natural water! This displays that the true thirst quencher that satisfied the longing of our Lord was met in the faith and salvation gracefully evidenced in that woman. Only here, in her heart of love, did He find that which actually refreshed His heart! And how curious that these instances surround Jesus' great discourse concerning worship "in spirit and in truth" (Jn 4:23-34). Beloved, it is only from this loving and "thirst-quenching" perspective that real and true worship can ever be properly effected!
How beautiful that such a thirst was one of only a few emotions communicated from the cross - that awful place of torment and shame! He's thirsting for His people, and has been thirsting ever since the very first "Adam... where are thou?" (Gen 3:9). This thirst for loving communion is even now laid bare, and is displayed in the overwhelmed heart of God. Will you allow Him to thirstily soak it up today!
Drink, my Beloved, and be satisfied!
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