Fifth in a series on the Seven Last Words of Jesus
by Pastor Paul Wolff
Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. (John 19:28-29)
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Water is necessary to sustain life. If you do not drink enough water you will die. Even ancient peoples knew this. When the Israelites were on their Exodus from Egypt God tested them by leading them into the wilderness where there was no water. They failed the test. Instead of trusting that God would provide them with water, or even asking God to provide drinking water, they only complained to Moses and accused him of leading them out into the desert to die of thirst. How easy it is to forget God in times of need!
God knows that water is necessary for us because that is how He made us. Food and water are part of the “Daily Bread” which we ask God to provide when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, and which God graciously provides to all people, even unbelievers, without our asking for it, though we pray for it so that we may receive all that we need in thanksgiving and praise to God who freely provides all that we need to sustain body and life.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:21-22, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” The Roman soldiers who were in charge of crucifying Jesus did not know, nor care about, the proverbs of Solomon. When Jesus expressed His thirst they did not give Him water, but gave him vinegar. Jesus had already been beaten and whipped, and if a little vinegar caused pain in an open wound, then the soldiers wouldn’t be sad to add to the suffering of the condemned man. They weren’t seeking rewards from God, only what rewards they could get in the world.
In Psalm 69:21, David prophesied, “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” The thirst of Jesus not only fulfilled this prophesy of David, but it also shows that Jesus is a real man. Jesus had real bodily needs like any other man. He hungered when He fasted. He got tired and needed sleep when He worked too long and too hard. He wept when visiting the grave of a friend who had died. He suffered when beaten and crucified, and He was thirsty as He was dying on the cross. It is important for our faith and our salvation that Jesus was (and is now, and will be forever) a man, just like us in every way, except sin.
Scripture says, “The soul that sins must die.” (Ezekiel 18:4 and 20) It was human souls who sinned against God and brought condemnation on the whole human race. Either we must all die for our sins, or we must be redeemed by another human soul. Jesus is the only human soul who has never been corrupted by sin. Yet, Jesus lived a regular life. Jesus was born as a baby. He grew up. He learned the Bible from His parents and teachers. He learned a trade. He was tempted to sin by the devil and by men. He lost friends and family to death. He suffered the indignities of living under the rule of tyrants who overtaxed Him and made themselves rich while stealing from the people. Jesus also suffered and died. When you pray to Jesus and find yourself in need in this world, you can know that Jesus understands what you are going through because He has been through similar things Himself as a man. Trust in Jesus. He will not let the troubles of life overwhelm you and lead you to your destruction. Jesus lived and died to rescue you from sin, death, and the devil. Jesus suffered the wrath of God, and the sorrows of life in a sinful world so that you could be rescued from such sorrows for all eternity. This is especially important when you approach your last hour of life in this sinful world. Jesus has been there, too. When that hour comes you will have to let go of everything in this world and trust in Jesus alone to rescue you from the grave.
The prophet, Jeremiah wrote (17:13-14), “O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water. Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. That Word is a living water welling up within God’s people for eternal life. Jesus suffered and died to give you comfort and life. Jesus suffered thirst to give you the living water as an ever flowing stream of eternal life.
When the Israelites were thirsty in the wilderness they failed the test, and lost faith in God. Jesus was not only thirsty, but endured the anger and wrath of God, the Father, over the sins of the world, and He endured it all and never lost His love and faith in God. Even though it was the Father’s will to put Jesus through hell, Jesus continued to love the father and trust that this was all for the best.
The thirst of Jesus shows us that He is a real man. Another aspect of Christ’s humanity, is that when He spoke these words He knew His physical strength was failing, and He did not have long to live. His mouth and throat was dry, and He had a couple short words to speak, and He did not want to be misunderstood. From a human perspective, Jesus was preparing to speak His final words as a mortal man before He died, and He was willing to drink vinegar to moisten His tongue so that He could still speak clearly. Listen carefully to these next two words from Jesus. They are important for your faith and for your salvation.
Articles in this series:
Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
Woman behold your son. Son, behold your mother.
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
I thirst.
It is finished.
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
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