JOHN 19:28-29 HOW THIRSTY ARE YOU?

Written by , Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
 

²⁸ Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ 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.

The source of living water (John 4:10; 7:38) says, “I am thirsty.” He does so not in delirium but under control. In the midst of physical, mental and spiritual torture, Jesus still knew that his suffering was fulfilling God’s plan, and therefore, Scripture. His words symbolized Jesus’ commitment to obey God’s will, as well as to fulfill the role of the righteous sufferer (Psalm 69:21; 22:12-18). In the Garden, Jesus had said to Peter, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11). That cup is the cup of God’s wrath which was to be poured out on all sinners. By drinking the cup to the dregs, Jesus completes the ordeal necessary for our redemption. The hyssop by which the sour wine is delivered to Jesus reminds us of the saving blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:22) and the Jewish purification rites (Numbers 19:6, 18; Psalm 51:7). The death of Jesus is the only effective means of spiritual cleansing. The Lamb of God has taken away the sin of the world. That is the act that finishes Jesus’ work and also brings the Scripture to complete fulfillment.

Jesus “knew.” He meant to do what he did for you. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:11, 18). On the cross, Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath to the dregs so that you might be able to come to him and drink of the living water.

Jesus also said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Because of Jesus, we can cry out in thirst and be satisfied by his righteousness. All we need is to share Jesus’ thirst for obedience to God.

Jesus, help me to know better the gift of God and increase my desire to obey God’s will. Reveal to me more fully the true nature of my thirst and the manner in which I might drink the living water of salvation. Grow my thirst for you and my appreciation of what you have done for me. Amen.

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