I Thirst
Text: St. John 19:28-29
Theme: Man’s activation
Point: Transfer of power
The crucifixion of Christ
The Death of Jesus (19:28)
1. The fulfilling of the scripture, in the giving of him vinegar to drink,
(v. 28, 29)
2. Christ’s faithfulness to the scripture, v. 28): After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I Thirst”. St. John 19:28 [ESV]
3. According to sacred text, the writer depicts Jesus as drinking in His sufferings, he saith, I thirst, that is, Jesus as calls for drink.
4. It’s NOT unusual for Jesus to be thirsty, or anyone for that matter whose under rigorous conditions; we also see Christ being thirsty in St. John 4:6-7 and now here at His journey’s end.
Sweltering heat
Physically imposing walks and conditions
He was under nourished for days
Mental anguish (emotional challenges, toil, pressure, lies, ridicule, persecution)
Physically imposed conditions, walks, and beaten unrecognizably during the agonies of death
Ready to expire by severe blood loss, and extremity of pain
The torment of hell is resembled here in the violent thirst in the complaint of the rich man that begged for a drop of water to cool his tongue.
II. The cross of Christ
B. The Process of Death
I Thirst, can be deemed as a complaint, but is surprising because it’s NOT the only word he used. It looks like a complaint during the last seven sayings of his outward sufferings
Supporting point: 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. Isaiah 53:11
They Scourged Christ
They Crowned Christ with thorns
They Pierced Christ in His side
But NOT a mumbling word
a. Supporting point: Matthew Henry’s Commentary:
Jesus was athirst after the glorifying of God, accomplishment of the work of our redemption, and gratitude of his undertaking.
Christ completes the assignment, knowing that all had been accomplished, and carefully observes - his suffering placed in perspective, it happened in proper (season) context.
Jesus’ sacrifice solidifies His Lordship, and revelation of Messiah according to scripture, fulfilled in him and eyed by him.
Christ didn’t destroy the law, He fulfill the law
Sacred text foretold his thirst, and related it, because it could not otherwise be known,
Saying, I Thirst, it was foretold that his tongue should cleave to his jaws, A cry of anguish and song of prayer
My strength is dried up like a pots-herd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. Psalm 22:15
And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? Judges 15:18
So was Christ, when he was upon the cross, spoiling principalities and powers
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Psalm 69:21
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. St. Matthew 27:34
The prophecy was not exactly fulfilled in that… the will of God must be done and the word of God accomplished.
III. Conclusion
Supporting point
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. St. John 19:29
1. According to the custom at all executions of this nature; or others think
2. There was set a vessel full of vinegar
e. Earth denied Christ a drop of water
B. Second Summation:
1. Why did Jesus die?
2. Why did Jesus say I Thirst?
