As we approach Easter Sunday, it is good to remember what Jesus went through on the days approaching Easter. Tomorrow is known as Good Friday. It is the day that Jesus was crucified on the cross. It is "good" in that what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross (the sacrifice for our sins) is good.
In the gospel of John, chapter 19, Jesus had just finished telling John to take care of His mother, Mary. He knew that He was in His last moments of life. And He utters the words, "I am thirsty," (John 19:28). But what did Jesus mean by these words? It was hot, the Bible tells us, and Jesus must have been dehydrated from the experience of being crucified. But why would Jesus worry about being thirsty when He knew He was in His last moments? The Roman soldiers thought He was physically thirsty, because they gave Him some sour wine, maybe to torment Him more.
This text is probably in answer to the prophecy found in Psalm 69:20-21, "Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst."
(vv. 20-21) The thirst was probably a spiritual thirst for the lostness of His people. He was in despair over how little faith the people had.
In this time of Lent, what do you thirst for? Money? Happiness? Material possessions? A vacation? I encourage you to thirst more for God. And as you thirst for God, find ways to seek Him more. Maybe you need to go to church more. Maybe you need to really start praying. Maybe you need to change your priorities. As you seek God to fill your thirst, you will not thirst for what is important any more. As Jesus said in the gospel of John 4:10, "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
