Dehydrated to delight us!

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"I thirst!" (Jn 19:28)

Christ who told the woman of Samaria, "He who drinks the water that I give shall never thirst," now on the cruel Cross cried, "I thirst!" After sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was dragged to the rulers here and there. He was tortured by the Roman soldiers. He was flogged, and crowned with thorns. He bore the heavy Cross and staggered as He was led to Golgotha. All this resulted in this agonising thirst as He hung on the Cross with his torn body. He refused to accept the painkiller drink offered to Him. Thus He submitted Himself to consciously undergo anguish and suffering. Why did He suffer thus?

Christ thirsted that we might not thirst again. He was wounded for us so He might become an "open fountain" (Zech 13:1). The Shepherd was struck but He didn't run away from the sheep. He leads them to "still waters" and satisfies them with "goodness and mercy" (Zech 13:7; Psa 23).

Jesus not only gives us living water but also plants a spring within us. He promises, "The water that I shall give you will become in you a fountain of water springing up unto everlasting life" (Jn 4:14b). The greatest problem of people without Christ is that nothing satisfies them. They try money but it fails. Money is like sea water. The more one drinks it the thirstier he becomes. Then they try sex; it doesn't satisfy them. Then they start worshipping their achievements. They say to the work of their hands, "You are our gods" (Hos 14:3). But before long they are left disillusioned. Only the Cross is God's plus sign; man is satisfied there. The earthly pleasures and treasures become worthless before the Old Rugged Cross.

On the Cross Christ gave away everything so we may have everything in Him. "Every spiritual blessing" is ours today (Eph 1:3). And "all our need" is supplied by Him (Phil 4:19). Even in the midst of trials and tears, deep beneath in our hearts there will be peace and satisfaction that pass all understanding. And a day will come when even our natural hunger for food will be removed. What a blessing because the Lamb of God was slain!

See from His head, His hands, His feet—
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet;
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
                                (Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)


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