Friday, March 21, 2008

"I Thirst"

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." John 19:28

This may be my own personal belief, but I believe that Jesus was thirsting for something more than just water to wet his tongue. Yes, I am sure He was thirsty in his body from dehydration. But I find it hard to believe that in the last moment of His life He was thinking about His physical need-- He never did before. Everything we ever saw Jesus do was geared to the spirit- He walked in self denial. Besides, He knew all things were accomplished and the next words He would speak would be, "It is finished". He knew that drinking something would do Him no good at that point- His next breath was to be His last.

To be thirsty also speaks of having a longing or strong desire for something. This word in the Greek is also figurative of eagerly longing for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened. What was the one thing that Jesus eagerly longed for? What was His whole reason for coming to earth? Why did He die on the cross? Because He had a great longing and desire to see us with Him in His kingdom. It's even recorded that He looked past the suffering of the cross with joy- that joy was seeing you and me in His kingdom because of the price that He was about to pay.

I tend to believe that Jesus was thirsting (longing) to see the fruit of His labor. He was longing to begin to see us enter into His kingdom. He thirsted- He was ready with great excitement to see the souls begin coming into His kingdom for the first time.

If you don't know Him as Savior, if you haven't received Him as the Lord of your life, if you haven't accepted what He did at the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, then He is still thirsty. He is thirsty for you! He longs for you to come to Him. He longs to give you eternal life. He longs to forgive your sins. He longs to write your name in His book of life. He longs to start preparing a mansion for you. He longs to lavish His love on you and have a deep personal relationship with you.

Have a great day. Is He still "thirsty" for you?

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