FIFTH STATEMENT OF JESUS ON THE CROSS:
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said “I thirst!” Amen
The fifth statement of Jesus on the cross, “I am thirsty” has been dubbed ‘The word of Distress’.
It is so, because that statement reflects the extreme pain and anguish Jesus was going through on the cross.
No doubt that He experienced extreme thirst while being crucified, because He had lost substantial quantity of bodily fluid in the form of blood and sweat, thus His request for something to drink. Everyone knows that nothing satisfies thirst like water. However, in response to His plea, the soldiers gave Him vinegar.
John notes that what Jesus said was not only a statement of physical reality, but the fulfilment of prophecy (Psalm 69:20-21).
He also said “He thirsts” and actually went ahead to receive the vinegar provided by the soldiers to prove that on the cross, He was still man (God in flesh), susceptible to the laws of nature. He suffered anguish and pain just as we do. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” (Heb 4:15)
Today, as you reflect on Jesus’ statement, keep thinking of your own thirst. A thirst for HIM. Let your soul yearn for the LIVING WATER THAT JESUS SUPPLIES ( John 4:10)
He told the woman at the well that “… those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed the water I give will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Jh 4:13b)
Brethren, let us rejoice in the fact that Jesus suffered physical thirst on the cross, so that our thirst for the water of life might be quenched. Begin to pray now and thank Him for the suffering on the cross, ask that your spirit be filled with the Living Water He gives, welling up to eternal life.
