By: Kelton
I am thirsty. (John 19:28)
You don’t need a biology degree to know that if a human goes too long without water, they’ll eventually die. But beyond the physiological realm, thirst is a good metaphor for describing the deepest desires of the human heart––those core cravings which the earthly cisterns of porn, worldly applause, success, compulsive eating, even religion couldn’t quench for me. But thirst ultimately points to our spiritual need for God and highlights the fact that just as the body literally cannot exist without natural water, so the soul of man will perish––in this life and the next––without drinking of the “living water” that leads to eternal life (Jn 4:10).
Obviously, a sip of vinegar-infused water served on a bitter hyssop-branch wasn’t going to quench the thirst of Christ on the cross. So, what did he mean by, “I am thirsty” (Jn 19:28)? More than Christ merely going through the motions of fulfilling an ancient word of prophecy (Ps 22:15), or seeking some temporary relief amidst his suffering, I believe the statement, “I am thirsty” reveals his unquenching desire to carry out the Father’s will, his compassionate concern and care to meet the needs of others above himself, and points to the eternal ache and fiercest longing of God––for every single beating heart to come to repentance (2 Pt 3:9). I think it also highlights the radical empathy of Jesus, shown in his willingness to share our humanity, shoulder our burdens, even subject himself to something as primal as thirst. His divine dehydration, parched passion, and scandalous selflessness of Christ––to suffer the penalty of our sin on a criminal’s cross––is a simple, yet profound, reminder that we are loved without conditions, freely forgiven, even worth dying for.
A Prayer of Thirst
Jesus,
Your divine dehydration supplies the fountain of living water leading to eternal life; thank you. In worshipful response, I will thirst for the things You thirst for. In Jesus’s name, amen.