5th of the Seven Last Words of Jesus on yhe cross
²⁸Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹A 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. John 19:28-29 NIV
It is interesting that when the nails pierced through the hands and feet of Jesus, He did not say a thing about its pain.
When a crown of thorns was put on His head, He did not say a word.
When they divided His clothes, He did not yell, "Hey, those are mine!"
Yet, when He felt thirst, He said, "I am thirsty."
None of what Jesus went through were painful enough to make Him say a word.
The one physical need He wanted eased up was thirst.
Here are some truths and lessons we can learn from the 5th of the Last Seven Word of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Jesus felt real thirst.
Jesus got thirsty even before the crucifixion.
⁵So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. ⁷When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” John 4:5-7 NIV
So, after a long, painful journey, it's understandable He's thirsty. Physically, it's possible.
More importantly, it was it was prophesied.
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Psalm 22:15 NIV
Jesus revered God's Word.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17 NIV
²⁸Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” John 19:28 NIV
He did not skip one step. He went through it all to complete His mission to save.
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NIV
Servants in God's vineyard must revere God's Word, just as Jesus did.
Jesus modeled faithful service.
Dying on the cross was part of God's plan of redemption.
Feeling thirsty was part of Him dying on the cross.
Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 are powerful prophecies about the Messiah.
To be clear, Jesus's suffering on the cross is about Jesus completing His mission.
It has always been and will always be about Jesus saving us. He is the center of the story, not us.
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36 NIV
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 NIV
Yet we can still learn from Him about faithful service while hanging on the cross.
Ministry will cause inconvenience.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 NIV
Ministry will require sacrifice.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:24 NIV
Ministry will demand faithfulness.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:21 NIV
God's ministry here on Earth will only be victorius if it is done FOR God.
Conclusion:
Ministry is never convenient. It always involves sacrifice.
As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and the story of the cross about Him, it is possible to go through serving Him victoriously!
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