Faithbase

One of the last sayings of Jesus on Good Friday was I thirst which can be found in John chapter 19 verse 28. After this Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the scripture might be fulfilled said I thirst. Jesus went to the cross to accomplish redemption and provide salvation for all who believe. Having accomplished this he was now ready to die. All the verbal quotations of scripture made by Jesus during his crucifixion came from David Psalms of suffering. Psalm chapter 22 verse 1 says my God my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me? Jesus Christ knew more about feeling abandoned by God than we ever will. But in this case it was more than a feeling. For a moment God turned his back on his son when he became sin for us. Psalms chapter 22 verse 15 says my strength is dried up like a pot shear. My tongue clings to my jaws. You have brought me to the dust of death. Even when Jesus asked for a drink he is said to do so not so much because he was thirsty or suffering but rather for the fulfillment of scripture. And that scripture is Psalms chapter 69 verse 21. It talks about the Roman soldiers crucifying Jesus and after they gave him gall or bitter herb for his food and for his thirst they gave him vinegar to drink which he did not drink. The sacred scriptures mentioned thirst several times therefore it is not strange that we find Jesus thirsty. We find him thirsty in a journey when he asked for a drink from the Samaritan woman at the well. A conversation began after the woman was intrigued that a Jew would ask a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jesus tells the woman that he can offer her that living water which quenches her thirst forever. This dialogue is in alignment with the Beatitudes recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew. It says be blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. To hunger and thirst for righteousness ultimately means that one hungers and thirsts for God. We must truly and continually desire Jesus and those who long for God will find him and be filled. See the world thirsts but it is not looking for the real God who is both Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end. Instead humanity has created false deities of their own imagination to worship. Society thirsts for worldly rewards such as pop culture, wealth, fame and what's trending. See Satan the thief can only offer unfiltered dirty salt water that does not have the ability to quench our thirst and provide peace and contentment. Hunger and thirst are appetites that return frequently and for fresh satisfactions. It is God only, only God who can satisfy our spiritual appetites and fill our soul. Jesus wants us as Christians to encourage the unsaved and the backslided to develop a thirst for righteousness through our own testimony. God desires for everyone to be saved and have a personal relationship with him through his son Jesus. So is your soul thirsting this Easter for the living God? Do you thirst this Good Friday for the resurrected Savior? See Easter isn't canceled due to the pandemic. We desperately still need the reminder of our true hope of the power of the one who raised Jesus from the dead, who has authority over all things. So we need to be more concerned with faith that delivers rather than a virus that denies. See the God that we serve has been called a bright and a morning star that never dims. He's a faithful friend that never forsakes. He's a high priest that never fails. He's bread from heaven that never molds. He's eternal fountain that never ceases to flow. He's been called a good shepherd that never flees. He's an ark that never leaks. He's a rock that never moves, a bridge that never collapses. He's been called a counselor that never betrays. He's living water that quenches all thirsts and a Savior that never refuses anyone. See when darkness fell on Good Friday, his friends scattered, hope seemed lost, but heaven just started to count to three. So may your Easter be blessed as the household of faith celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ and as we continue to thirst after his righteousness.