The next part of Jesus’ final words that we examine is “I am Thirsty” From John 19:28.
The Scripture reads… “Later, knowing that all was complete, Jesus said “I am Thirsty” 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 up to Jesus’ lips to drink”.
"I am thirsty." Such a simple statement. How many of us make this statement ourselves at some point during each day? With this statement, Jesus acknowledged that a very basic human need was not being met for him as he neared his final moments.
It's not hard to imagine why Jesus would be thirsty at this point. He had been at the center of a whirlwind of activity for the past week. And so, after many hours of questioning, Jesus, beaten and bleeding, was forced to carry his own cross to the place called Calvary. It was there that he was crucified and left to die.
"I am thirsty." Such a complex statement from a man who offered living water to all who came to him. What could he possibly mean in a non literal sense?
What does it mean when we are thirsty; in a spiritual sense? Many of us thirst for something, and we’re not sure what will quench that thirst. I often thirst and seek for answers and in the end the answer is almost always Jesus. I thirst for Jesus and for my spirituality often and fall pretty far from the mark.
"I am thirsty," words said by Jesus as he hung, dying on the cross, while his mother and the beloved disciple, stood near; weeping.
After all of this, it is no surprise that Jesus was thirsty. Jerusalem is a hot, dusty place and Jesus had just endured many grueling hours of political wrangling and torture. Can't you just hear him say, "I am thirsty"? Which is a very human request from a man we define as “fully human, fully God”.
And he proclaims this while hanging, dying, on a cross.
"I am thirsty.” But I am sent to be your source of living water.
"I am thirsty.” But believe in me - hanging here, suffering much physical pain - and receive the spring of water gushing up to eternal life.
"I am thirsty.” But this thirst, like all of my life, points beyond me to the one who sent me - the very God who acts to save us all.
As we read here today and listen to Jesus' last words, we are called to hear that same message. Jesus admonishes us to stop looking for nourishment from the things of this world. He calls us to stop looking for eternal life to come from our jobs, our recreation, our entertainment, or our relationships with people.
Instead he bids us come to him so that he may offer us springs of living water that will refresh us and lift us up to eternal life. We are called to see Jesus' life and ministry as signs of the one who sent him - God the Father - who desires to provide for our every need.
Believe in Jesus, the servant who washed his followers' feet. Believe in Jesus, who died a lowly death on a cross. And in so believing, believe in God creator, redeemer, and sustainer of all.
Blessings ><> Abby
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