Easter 2010 Meditations

The Fifth Word

²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” ²⁹ 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)

Meditation on the Fifth Word

The true humanity of Jesus is now on full display.  The one that said he was “living water” now finds himself thirsting.  The loss of blood, the savage beatings that he has endured, the humiliation that He has suffered has sapped what little energy Jesus has left.  In this moment Jesus identifies with us as a people who continually go to dry and broken cistern for refreshment.  What we are challenged to see is that the only lasting satisfaction for us is to be found in Jesus.  And so Jesus thirsts so that we may never thirst again.  He invites us to drink deeply from the wellspring of His life and righteousness.  I encourage you to see and understand that Jesus’ identification with us is the clearest sign that faith in Him is the only true and genuine religion.