Lent Reflection, Day 38, April 13

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.
John 19:28-29

Additional Reading: Psalm 71:1-24

The Scripture being fulfilled is Psalm 69:21, “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” But the dying Christ is not seeking pity here. He’s simply preparing to give himself into the Father’s loving arms. He wants to say something – to announce his departure. He wants to declare his victory in the battle over the sins of humanity that placed him on this cruel cross.

But he has no voice left. The day of his suffering has stolen it from him. His mouth is so dry that he cannot speak. He cannot muster the voice that called back Lazarus from the dad to speak now and declare that the battle over sin and death’s dominion is over. So between the panting of his final breaths, the pain of hoisting himself up one more time to find the air to force the words out, he cries, “I am thirsty.”

God would have us know that when Jesus says he’s thirsty, the he is one of us. He is thirsty. His humanness is in full view here in this moment. And as one who thirsted, He knows the many thirsts of our lives, the dry yearning of our hearts, the parched longing to have those thirsts quenched as only he can quench them.

Love. I am thirsty. Acceptance. I am thirsty. Forgiveness. I am thirsty. Hope … Meaning … the end of my Loneliness. I am thirsty. Jesus hears. Jesus knows. He’s been there. And he wants to announce to the victory that is yours in him.

Prayer: Lord, my soul thirsts for you in a dry and weary land. I confess my need of the One who said, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink.” Lord Jesus, I come. Release within me that stream of Living Water. Amen.