Good Day, Kingdom Friends:

In remembrance of Jesus’ work on the cross, I want us to consider one of the Last Words of Jesus on the cross.  “I Thirst” is spoken by Jesus as he hung on the cross. We find the passage in John 19:28, After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

In John 4:14 Jesus tells the woman at the well that the water He will give her will provide everlasting life.

Jesus tells the disciples in John 6:36 that he who believes in Jesus shall never thirst.

In John 7:37, Jesus tells the people, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”

Jesus is continually giving a metaphor for who He is. He can fill the void in a person. He can quench our thirst, our lack, our emptiness forever.

So why on the cross does the One who provides a fountain of water that never runs out say, “I thirst”?

This is in a moment of His weakness and humanity. Some believe it is a cry of distress. But at the same time, it is also fulfillment of scripture. And Jesus knows it. If he didn’t make the statement, “I thirst,” the vinegar would not have been offered and the prophecy would not have been fulfilled in Psalm 22.

But let’s look at it from the perspective of his humanity for a moment. Think of it. He has endured HOURS of torture. He has been lied on, spit upon. His beard has been ripped out of his face. He has been beaten and whipped. He has been cursed and forced to carry a literal tree on His back to the location of His death.

He has had a crown of thorns shoved onto His head, digging into His scalp. He has been stripped completely naked. He has had spikes driven into each hand and both of His feet. The cross, with his full body weight on it is hoisted into place. Because the weight of his entire body is supported by the stakes driven through his hands and feet, as time passes and His body weakens, the simple act of breathing becomes difficult. He has to gather his strength and support His body weight so that His lungs can inflate. Just to continue to breathe and speak, the amount of effort and labor increases each time.

During this entire process, Jesus is fully and completely man. He knows that in His obedience to His Father, He cannot come down off of that cross. His Father is not going to perform some miracle to bring Him down. But Jesus knows the prophecies over His life. He knows what must be fulfilled. He knows why He was put on this earth. He must endure the process.

How many of us have a prophetic word spoken over our lives and when the process becomes uncomfortable, we cry out for relief?  When we are in the midst of trials, storms, adversity, do we seek the Lord and His purpose for the challenge or do we murmur and complain or turn to other things or people to bring comfort? Do we seek His presence or do we find a companion for temporary comfort?

Do we thirst for His peace or do we turn to our old vices to numb the pain for just a moment? Do we strive to be more like Him and respond with humility when we are accused, or do we lash out? Do we hold our peace and let the Lord fight for us when accusations and betrayal comes, or do we feel like we must be heard or we must have revenge?

In Revelation 7:9-17 John’s vision shows a great multitude which no one could number clothed in white robes standing before the throne with palm branches, worshipping God. The multitude in white robes are “the ones who come out of the great tribulation…. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore.”

We will finally have our thirst quenched when we seek God in the midst of our tribulations and challenges. Only when we take on the mind of Christ, taking on His attributes of love, peace, joy, long-suffering, meekness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control, and when we seek His will in the midst of the storms of life and standing when others fall away, will we be able to finally have our thirst quenched.

Just cry out to God when you feel desperate, when you need to gain strength. He’ll give you endurance and peace in the process.

We have the assurance that when we come out on the other side, our reward will be great and we will thirst no more.

BE ENCOURAGED! There is a purpose and plan for every challenge and storm.

I pray that you gain strength and focus in your process; that you do not faint and your faith sustains you through your challenge. May you set your face like flint against all adversity and attacks; that you are not distracted nor discouraged while your character is refined. May the Lord’s grace be multiplied in your life, and you raise up with greater power and authority than ever before to walk out your full purpose and destiny in this season. I pray that your gifts are activated and His word manifests in your life quickly. May greater revelation be your portion and may you walk in a new dimension as a result of the trial that you endure.

See Far & Perceive, Loved Ones!