The text is found in John ch19 vs28 “I thirst”.
In considering this cry let us first of all see some things that the words did not mean.
First, it was not a request just to relieve his thirst. He cried “I thirst” that the scriptures might be fulfilled. It wasn’t His relief that He was thinking about but the fulfillment of God’s Word.(Psalm 69 Vs 21).
Secondly, It was not a plea for pity. He didn’t say “I thirst” to touch the hearts of the crowd around Him. He knew what was in man (John ch2 v24,25) so he didn’t expect pity.
Thirdly, It was not a moan to heaven for mercy. He was thinking about getting God’s word fulfilled.
Fourthly, It was not a desire for deliverance. His mind was not thinking of deliverance or mercy or pity or relief. His mind was filled with the Word of God and its fulfillment.
In considering this cry let us see what it means.
With the words “I thirst” is expressed the physical suffering of the Saviour. It was real physical suffering but it was not the physical suffering that made Him cry out it was the fulfillment of all the scriptures that spoke of His sufferings. Reading verse 28 & 29. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith I thirst. Now here was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. God’s word fulfilled to the very last letter of His suffering. What a Saviour.
With those words “I thirst” they bring forth before us PAIN. The thirst was real. Some 15 hours before the cross He was arrested there was mock trials, the roman soldiers smote Him. Lashed him, put a crown of thorns upon His head. Then they nailed Him to the cross. In all that time NO drink passed His lips. His thirst was real. Psalm 22:15 says His tongue cleaveth to the roof of His mouth. He has the preeminence in pain. God knows more about pain than we will ever do. “I thirst” then brings pain before us.
With the words “I thirst” they bring before us the complete prophetical knowledge that Jesus Christ has. Think of what His crucifixion entails the scriptures He is fulfilling. Him going down into the depths of separation from His Father where He had no standing with His Father and yet verse 28 tells us that just before His death He was completing the fulfillment of scripture that spoke of His crucifixion and death. Our Lord’s mind in all that was still clear. See messianic Psalm 69. Vs21 particularly. Providentially there was a vessel full of vinegar right there and I presume one of the soldiers took a sponge and filled it with vinegar put it upon hyssop and put it to His mouth and he drank. Surely God was moving on someone’s heart.
With the words “I thirst” they express a burning desire in the heart of Christ.
His burning desire throughout His whole life was that scriptures would be fulfilled. In life and in death His burning passion was that God’s word would be fulfilled. See by example, His temptation in the wilderness.
With the words “I thirst” they express a unique personal submission of Christ to the Father.
As we read the scriptures and ponder them we can see scenes of Christ on His journey to the cross and on the cross a personal submission to the Father’s will.
What did he say in the garden “Thy will be done”.
In conclusion we can see the physical suffering of Jesus Christ.- I thirst
We can see the emotional longings of Jesus Christ. – I thirst
Can we see a hidden warning to the lost – I thirst (the rich man and Lazarus)
God bless