These are strange times when many feel restless, inwardly thirsty and adrift as “normal” life goes on hold. Most of our good intentions during Lent have fallen foul of sickness, stress or a heavy soul sadness weight.
As I read about the inexplicable burden of the crucifixion recently, I was transfixed by three words Jesus speaks in John’s gospel: “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28).
In order to address His perceived physical need, Jesus is offered a sponge soaked in sour wine to sip from. What seems like a generous gesture is both inadequate and insulting.
With His thirst left unsatisfied, Jesus partakes of humanity’s bitterness and gall as He hangs dying on the cross, poured out like a drink offering for us.
This act is preceded by Him calling out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?” which is translated as “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34-36)
How Jesus might have thirsted
His heartfelt cry on the cross suggests that Jesus was not only physically thirsty but emotionally too. For the first time ever, as He took upon himself the sin of the whole world, His holy, righteous Father could not look upon or be in fellowship with Him.
Their full and loving union and communion was temporarily broken. And I think that must have broken Jesus’ heart. I believe Jesus thirsted for all He had known before.
Instead of using the personal, intimate ‘Abba, Father’, Jesus now addresses His Father as ‘God’, possibly indicating the temporary loss of what He had always experienced, their unending closeness and intimacy.
In taking on humanity’s sin, Jesus endured a painful separation from God so we could become reconciled and know Him as our loving, heavenly Father.
I have been thirsty for many things in my life, including: approval, security, a satisfying career and material success. They were mostly out of my reach, which has proved to be a blessing. Now I thirst to know God better and help encourage others in the process.
Acceptance, love, security and safety are our basic human needs. These things are fully met in relationship with God. Jesus is inextricably linked with a river of life, hope and faith, that runs through us now by his Spirit.
Jesus as Living Water to the thirsty
Jesus offers Living Water to the spiritually thirsty Samaritan woman. At the start of their conversation, Jesus requests a drink from her as she is at the well drawing water.
Do we ever stop to think how Jesus, our Living Water, thirsts now? Perhaps He thirsts for more of our time, attention, presence and love.
While we ponder the wonder of the cross and marvel at the resurrection to come, let’s take a moment to prayerfully consider how Jesus may be desiring a closer, more intimate relationship with us now and in the days ahead.
An Easter prayer
Dear Lord,
We have no difficulty seeing our need
of the things you offer us.
Your mercy, grace and forgiveness
are what we long for,
and our souls require daily watering
by your Spirit and your Word.
Yet our hearts can fail and quail
at the thought of you
wanting something in return.
What can we give to you
that you do not already possess?
We offer our hearts, we offer our lives,
we offer our thanksgiving,
adoration, prayer and praise,
service and sentiments.
Then we hear you saying:
“I miss you. Come and be with Me”
“I love you. Come and lean on Me”
“I desire to help and heal you. Come and rest in Me”
“I have much to teach you. Learn from Me”
“I long to hear your voice. Speak with Me”
For in our busyness we can fail
to spend time in your presence.
Whatever you are saying, Lord,
give us ears to hear,
hearts to respond,
spirits that are willing and souls
that delight to be with you, always.
Amen
Let’s seek the holy soul saturation we all need to be able to cope each day by turning to Jesus, who takes all our sorrow and pain and give us His unquenchable love, mercy and grace in return.
NOTE: Please accept my apologies for the technical glitches if some of you received a variation of this post yesterday by mistake. Normal service will be resumed asap! 🙂 xo
Words of Joy 
Oh Dear Joy, I am so very thankful that you were able to get past the “technical glitches” to share these beautiful words with us. How amazing that our Lord would have need of us–that He actually longs to just be with us. I have a collection of vintage postcards that I am not able to get to this year, so your Easter Card here was a special gift! And I am always so moved and convicted by the story of the Woman at the Well, after our family’s offering of that drama so many years ago. He knows just when to remind me of that. May I respond to His drawing me into His presence. Blessings, love, and hugs to you this Easter, dear friend! xoxo
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Dear Bettie, yes, it was a huge relief! Technical glitches can be so frustrating, can’t they? It touches me deep inside to sense God’s ardent willingness and great desire to meet with us. Such love is truly moving and amazing. Oh how lovely that the Easter card reminded you of your collection of vintage postcards! I love that style too. And I’d temporarily forgotten your heart connection to the story of the Woman at the Well. How pleased I am to have offered you an opportunity to revisit it! I echo your prayer. May we not shut our ears but listen attentively to His call and respond swiftly where possible. Blessings, love and hugs to you too for this Easter and beyond, dear friend! xoxo 💜
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Oh, He loves us so! It’s so unfathomable how much He suffered for us. Thank you for this encouragement, Joy! These lines especially bring me to tears as I reflect on how He passionately longs for us:
“I miss you. Come and be with Me”
“I love you. Come and lean on Me”
“I desire to help and heal you. Come and rest in Me”
“I have much to teach you. Learn from Me”
“I long to hear your voice. Speak with Me”
What a wonderful Savior we have! I couldn’t live my life without Him!
Love and blessings of a HOPE-filled Easter!
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Oh yes He does! Our hearts can barely comprehend the depth, breath and extent of God’s love for us. It was for love of us that Jesus could bear to face the cross. It’s what held Him there and gave Him joy beyond the acute despair of partial separation from the Father. Those lines you’ve highlighted speak to me too. I think I need to read them again myself. 😉 May your Easter be joyous as you celebrate the victory that was secured for us! Yes, Jesus is a wonderful Saviour and I wouldn’t want to live a minute without Him in my life. Oh, yes, a HOPE-filled Easter is just what the doctor ordered! We’re trying hard not to lose hope as coronavirus cases and deaths rise higher each day. Love, hugs, and blessings of health and strength to you, dear friend! xo 💜
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