We call him Saviour part 7 I thirst

We call him Savior

Lesson 7

The 5th cry from the cross

I Thirst

John. 19:28

The fifth cry from the cross John. 19:28

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

In this evening's lesson we want to look at two sides of this passage of Scripture and combine them so that we can see the Christ and the Carpenter. The Divine Jesus that went to the cross and the God in the flesh that went to the cross.

Christ showed respect to and fulfilled the scripture,which spoke of his drinking in his sufferings,( the divine part of Christ, he thirst to do the will of God) he saith, I thirst, that is, he called for drink. Also we find throughout the Gospel that this thirst also came because he was also flesh.

Let's look at some of the accounts that are recorded.

It was not at all strange that he was thirsty; we find him thirsty in a journey John 4:6-7

6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. ([KJV])

We can see this picture that is recorded in John 4 as he talks to the woman at the well, "I am tired," Jesus sighed. So he stopped. "You go on and get the food. I'll rest right here." Jesus was tired, bone-tired. His feet were hurting, his face was hot. The noon sun was sizzling. He wanted to rest, so he stopped at the well and waved on his disciples while he tried to get some rest. Jesus stretched a bit and sat down. But before he could close his eyes, here came a Samaritan woman. She was alone. Maybe it was the bags under her eyes or the way she stooped that made him forget how weary he was, and speak with her. "How strange that she should be here at midday."

We see another time when Jesus was weary and tired. Mark 4: 39

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ([KJV])

"I am sleepy." He stretched and yawned. It had been a long day. The crowd had been so large, so large that preaching on the beach had proved to be an occupational hazard, so he had taught from the bow of a fishing boat. Now the night had fallen and Jesus was sleepy. "if you don't mind guys, I'm going to catch a few winks." so he did, or tried. On a cloud-covered night on the sea of Galilee, God went to sleep. Someone rustled him up a pillow and he went to the boat's driest point and sacked out. So deep in sleep that the thunder did not wake him. Nor did the tossing of the boat. Nor did the salty spray of the storm-blown waves. Only the screams of some breathless disciples could penetrate his slumber.

Let us look at one more story we have in Mark chapter 11 to bring us back to John 19:28

Mark 11:17And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. ([KJV])

"I am angry." He didn't have to say it; you could see it in his eyes. Face red. Blood vessels bulging. Fists clenched. "I ain't taking this no more!" And what was a temple became a one-sided cleansing brawl! What was a normal day at the market became a one-man riot. And what was a smile of the face of the Son of God became a scowl. "Get out of here!" The only thing that flew higher than the tables were the doves flapping their way to freedom. An angry Messiah made his point: Do not go making money off of worship and prayer, God will not be pleased. He thirst to see God's will done.

We are indebted to the writers of the Gospels for including these pieces that we have read. It gives a clearer picture of the 5th cry from the cross, "I Thirst."

We see his divinity and we see him as Lord of Lords. We see him as king of kings. We see him as Messiah. We see him as Savior, as Redeemer, as the Son of God. But we have to remember he is all of that and many more divine names and positions he holds but he wanted us to also remember John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. ([KJV])

He knows our pain that we go through as well, he knows man's feelings because he was made flesh.

Now thirsty when he was just at his journey's end. Well might he thirst after all the toil and hurry which he had undergone, and being now in the agonies of death, ready to expire purely by the loss of blood and extremity of pain. The torments of hell are represented by a violent thirst in the complaint of the rich man that begged for a drop of water to cool his tongue.

Luke 16:23-24

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. ([KJV])

To that everlasting thirst we had been condemned, had not Christ suffered for us.

But the reason of his complaining of it is somewhat surprising; it is the only word he spoke that looked like complaint of his outward sufferings. When they scourged him, and crowned him with thorns, he did not cry, O my head! or, My back!

But now he cried, I thirst. He would thus express the travail of his soul, Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. ([KJV])

He thirsted after the glorifying of God, and the accomplishment of the work of our redemption, and the happy issue of his undertaking.

Jesus made sure that the scriptures were fulfilled. That, all had been accomplished, and he knew it, for this was the thing he had carefully observed all along; and now he called to mind one thing more, which this was the proper season for the performance of. By this it appears that he was the Messiah, in that not only the scripture was punctually fulfilled in him, but it was strictly eyed by him.

By this it appears that God was with him of a truth-that in all he did he went exactly according to the word of God, taking care not to destroy, but to fulfil, the law and the prophets.

Luke 22:41-42 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ([KJV])

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.([KJV])

Here are some reference Scriptures that Jesus spoke about the fulfilling of the law and prophets. Matthew 8:16-17 /Matthew 27:9 / Mark 14:49/ Luke 4/18-21/ Luke 24:44/ John 12:38/ John 15:35/

Lets look at just a couple of them tonight.

Luke 4:18-21

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. ([KJV])

Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. ([KJV])

The scripture had foretold his thirst, and therefore he himself related it, because it could not otherwise be known, saying, I thirst; it was foretold that his tongue should cleave to his jaws,

Psalms 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. ([KJV])

Let us also remember that Psalms 22 is a passage that Jesus has referred to already as he was on the cross. "My God My God why hast thou forsaken me."Psalms 22:1

The divine part of Jesus, fulfilled God's will, the prophets, the scriptures and the law.

The word being made flesh, brings the realization to man that Jesus knows how are human flesh feels. He did this so that we would know he too, knows the drone of the humdrum and the weariness that comes with long days. He wanted us to know that our Savior and Redeemer didn't wear bulletproof vest or rubber gloves or an impenetrable suit of amour.

He brought our Salvation through the world that you and I face on a daily basis. And He did it without sin. He knows when we hurt, and he knows when we THRIST !

Are you thirsting for God's will to be done in your life?

Are you thirsting because of the trials and tribulations ?

Jesus is the King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, and the Word of Life. More than ever is is the Morning star, the Horn of Salvation, and the Prince of Peace.

But there are some hours when we are restored by remembering that God became flesh and dwelt among us. Our Master knew what it meant to be a crucified carpenter that got thirsty. 

...........................Home work and questions to follow up and think about ......................

1. Just at the right time we are reminded that the one whom we pray knows our feelings. He knows temptation. He has felt discouraged.

A. Why is it important to realize not only the divinity of Jesus, but also his humanity?

B. According to Hebrews 2:14-18 and Hebrews 4:14-16, in what ways can Jesus identify with us as humans? What blessings does that bring to us? How does Jesus now act on our behalf?

C. In prayer how do you balance reverence for Jesus as God and creator of the universe with the awareness that Jesus shared in our humanity and understands our weaknesses?

2. We are most indebted for John 19 verse 28 which simply reads "I thirst."

A. Why does this verse seem out of character with Jesus' other statements at the cross? What significance does it have for us?

B. Read John 19:28-29 Why did Jesus say I thirst? Read Psalms 69:21 and Psalms 22. What parallels are there between these Psalms and the events of the crucifixion?

C. How would you describe the intensity of Jesus' thirst on the cross? In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said we also should be thirsty. When were you most intensely thirsty? If you now had the same craving for righteousness as you then had for water, how would it change your life?