“I thirst” (John 19:28)
He suffered and died for you
March 19, 2012 (Monday)
Jesus made seven statements while on the Cross. Today’s blog is devoted to the fifth of these statements, “I thirst” (John 19:28). The fourth saying had been about inward suffering; this one was about outward, physical suffering. His thirst was a symptom of all the physical torment that he experienced at the cross. The movie, “The Passion of Christ,” graphically presented the physical suffering of Jesus (2004). It is painful to watch; think of how intensely Jesus experienced that suffering.
Behold, how he suffered. It began the night before in the Garden of Gethsemane, when, as he prayed, his sweat became as great drops of blood falling to the ground. He suffering was intensified as all of his disciples forsook him and fled. Peter denied him and Judas betrayed him. The trials were mockeries of justice, breaking all the rules. He was mocked by the religious leaders, of all people. They spit in his face and slapped him. No less a personage than King Herod mocked him. He was reviled by the people, priests, soldiers and a thief who was crucified with him. The crowd freed Barabbas, a known criminal, but called for the death of Jesus. He was scourged (whipped with an instrument designed to rip the flesh), crowned with thorns, mocked by Romans, treated with no mercy, and finally crucified. As he suffered, the soldiers gambled for his garments. He then said, “I thirst,” in fulfillment of Scripture (Psalms 22:15-16, 21).
Behold, what his suffering teaches. Beyond the pain and death he experienced as “The Lamb of God,” Jesus’ suffering taught us some practical lessons for our own personal applications. He understands our suffering. Whenever we suffer, we should reflect on his. We do not pray to one who has no feelings for us; he suffered himself. We should suffer for him. We should never be ashamed of suffering for Christ (1 Peter 4:16).
Behold, what his suffering has accomplished. His physical suffering demonstrates his spiritual suffering, for he was bearing all of our sins that day on the cross. His suffering was for us. When we meditate upon his suffering, we cannot help but love him. He did it all for us.
Long ago, Jeremiah uttered words that could well have been spoken by our Savior on the cross: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD has afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger” (Lamentations 1:12 KJV).
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Blogs On Each of the Seven Statements (click on each to read it):
1. Divine Forgiveness
2. Divine Promises
3. Divine Love
4. Divine Sacrifice
5. Divine Suffering
6. Divine Accomplishment
7. Divine Acceptance
Jesus made seven statements while on the Cross. Today’s blog is devoted to the fifth of these statements, “I thirst” (John 19:28). The fourth saying had been about inward suffering; this one was about outward, physical suffering. His thirst was a symptom of all the physical torment that he experienced at the cross. The movie, “The Passion of Christ,” graphically presented the physical suffering of Jesus (2004). It is painful to watch; think of how intensely Jesus experienced that suffering.Behold, how he suffered. It began the night before in the Garden of Gethsemane, when, as he prayed, his sweat became as great drops of blood falling to the ground. He suffering was intensified as all of his disciples forsook him and fled. Peter denied him and Judas betrayed him. The trials were mockeries of justice, breaking all the rules. He was mocked by the religious leaders, of all people. They spit in his face and slapped him. No less a personage than King Herod mocked him. He was reviled by the people, priests, soldiers and a thief who was crucified with him. The crowd freed Barabbas, a known criminal, but called for the death of Jesus. He was scourged (whipped with an instrument designed to rip the flesh), crowned with thorns, mocked by Romans, treated with no mercy, and finally crucified. As he suffered, the soldiers gambled for his garments. He then said, “I thirst,” in fulfillment of Scripture (Psalms 22:15-16, 21).
Behold, what his suffering teaches. Beyond the pain and death he experienced as “The Lamb of God,” Jesus’ suffering taught us some practical lessons for our own personal applications. He understands our suffering. Whenever we suffer, we should reflect on his. We do not pray to one who has no feelings for us; he suffered himself. We should suffer for him. We should never be ashamed of suffering for Christ (1 Peter 4:16).
Behold, what his suffering has accomplished. His physical suffering demonstrates his spiritual suffering, for he was bearing all of our sins that day on the cross. His suffering was for us. When we meditate upon his suffering, we cannot help but love him. He did it all for us.
Long ago, Jeremiah uttered words that could well have been spoken by our Savior on the cross: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD has afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger” (Lamentations 1:12 KJV).
_________________________________________________________________________________
Blogs On Each of the Seven Statements (click on each to read it):
1. Divine Forgiveness
2. Divine Promises
3. Divine Love
4. Divine Sacrifice
5. Divine Suffering
6. Divine Accomplishment
7. Divine Acceptance