\u201cAfter this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scriptures, said, \u2018I am thirsty\u2019\u201d (John 1:28).<\/p>\n
Jesus was flogged but did not say, \u201cMy back hurts.\u201d Jesus had a crown of thorns pressed into His skull but never said, \u201cMy head aches.\u201d The Scriptures do not mention Jesus uttering a word about His nail pierced hands or feet. Why do the Scriptures mention His thirst?<\/p>\n
There is no doubt that the events leading up to His death left Jesus utterly dehydrated. Thirst would have been a natural physiological response. Yet the significance of Jesus\u2019 words may transcend His cry for water.<\/strong><\/p>\n John\u2019s Gospel often uses water as a metaphor for the life-sustaining presence of God. To the Samaritan woman Jesus says, \u201cIf you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, \u2018Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water\u201d (John 4:10). Jesus also said, \u201cIf anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, \u2018From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water\u2019\u201d (John 7:37\u201338).<\/p>\n Fascinatingly, while John records the words, \u201cI thirst\u201d immediately before His death at the ninth hour, Matthew and Mark record the words \u201cMy God, My God why have You forsaken Me?\u201d (Matt 28:46; Mark 15:34). After these phrases Matthew, Mark, and John record that\u00a0the soldiers dipped a sponge in sour wine and raised it up to Jesus (Matt 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29). Apparently both of Jesus\u2019 phrases \u201cI thirst\u201d and \u201cMy God, My God\u2026\u201d occurred around the same time. And both of these concepts come from Psalm 22 (Ps 22:1, Ps 22:14\u201315) where the Psalmist was lamenting that God did not seem to be with him. Finally, after these utterances, Jesus says \u201cIt is finished\u201d and He dies. What is the significance of all of this?<\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 words \u201cI thirst\u201d were His reaction to being separated from His Father.<\/strong> On the cross God the Holy Father separated Himself from the Son who was bearing the sin, guilt and shame of humanity. Sin finds no presence with the Father. Therefore when the Son took the sins of humanity upon Himself, the Father found no presence with the Son. Jesus was \u201cin Hell\u201d\u2014separated from God, undergoing a spiritual death. Jesus’ words, \u201cI thirst\u201d are similar to the rich man\u2019s words from Hades, \u201ccool off my tongue for I am in agony in this flame\u201d (Luke 16:24).<\/p>\nMore than Water<\/b><\/h2>\n
Hell in Place of Us<\/b><\/h2>\n
What about Your Thirst?<\/b><\/h2>\n