Daily Scripture - Apr 14

Scripture:
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:28-30)

Message:
I thirst. Yes, Jesus was thirsty. He, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, is the Son of God. He was betrayed, was arrested, was struck, was insulted, and suffered in an illegal, rigged trial by the Sanhedrin. He was later brought to Golgotha and was crucified. For a day and night, He had been experiencing the excruciating torment and brutal punishment of the cross. He thirsted as His human body went through such anguish. When talking about Jesus, Paul says, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).” How great is the love of Jesus! The Son of God was willing to die for me. He laid down his life and shed his blood for the forgiveness of my sin.

Yes, Jesus was thirsty. However, no water was given to him. A soldier ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. This also witnesses that Jesus is the Messiah who was predicted in the Old Testament, as it fulfills what was written in Psalm 69:21: “They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” The Son of God, who personally suffered so greatly, cried out to the world, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). The Son of God is the living water, which never dries up. Jesus, our Lord, we thank you for You have laid down Your life for us and filled those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Meditation:
Come to Jesus with a faithful and grateful heart. Think about the reason why Jesus would suffer on the cross for us and feel the love of Jesus, our Lord. Today, if he says to you, “I thirst,” what will be your response?

What we can do:
Pray that God helps us to care for and help people who are in need through our love for Jesus Christ today. Matthew 25:34-40 “... for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; ...Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Song: O Come to the Altar