I'm Thirsty

Meditation
John 19:28—After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty!”
 
Good Friday moves me deeply. I cannot comprehend the degree of suffering and pain Jesus endured on my behalf.  To say I’m undeserving is in itself completely inadequate.  There is no way to grasp how and why the Creator of the universe would care so much to save me, a cosmic peon, a blade of grass that grows, withers and is gone.  His plan is so pregnant with love, so resplendent with grace as to leave me speechless.  His performance is staggering.  His witness emblazons across time the exquisite music of faithfulness.

Let’s thoughtfully contemplate John’s 20-word description. “After this.” Understand that these two words summarize the following for Jesus.  He was: tied up and brought before the high priest for questioning; slapped by the temple police; betrayed by His disciple Peter three times; taken to Pilate and Herod for questioning; flogged by cruel whip; forced to wear a crown of razor sharp thorns; repeatedly mocked; slapped by lowly Roman soldiers on the face; humiliated by countrymen shouting for His crucifixion; made in the reality of weariness to drag his own cross; somehow able to instruct devoted women mourning and weeping at His demise; staked in four places to a wooden cross; hung up before all people as a condemned criminal; able to forgive the ignorant for their horrendous actions; an audience to those who scorned His life as He gasped in heaving motions to breathe; insulted by the thief hanging next to him; the extender of salvation to the other thief who recognized His deity; and, somehow able to give His loving mother, Mary, to his beloved friend John to take care of . . .

“Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled. . .”  Consider that in the midst of astonishing pain, the Son of God had the presence of mind to focus on completing His assigned mission. When His thoughts surely might have centered on torture instead He looked to the completion of honoring His Father, the same Father who was forced to turn His back on Him.  

“He said, ‘I’m thirsty!’”  So many other words could have tumbled from His parched lips.  He could have said, “This is wrong!” or “What did I do to deserve this?” He could have said nothing and cried or just conserved His waning strength.  How easy would it have been to condemn the condemners. A mere thought would have brought angels blazing to His side.  Instead, He controlled the cascading emotions that would have bested the best, to simply utter reality.  “I’m thirsty!”  After receiving the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, Jesus, the world’s loving Messiah, died.

I’m thirsty to know this incredible Lord who rescued me and gave my life significance and meaning.  I’m thirsty to drink forever from this Living Water.  I’m thirsty for this Way, and Truth and Life who brings peace, wisdom and joy.  O King of kings, for You I’m thirsty!  How about you, are you thirsty?
 
Inspiration
The cross is the supreme moment in time and eternity, and it is the concentrated essence of the very nature of the divine love. God lays down His life in the very creation we utilize for our own selfish ends.—Oswald Chamber in The Place of Help
 
©2017 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)