(John 19:28,29 KJV) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled saith, I thirst. Now there 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.
This morning we continue our “Passion Week” series. On Good Friday it is the custom of many to worship the Lord by remembering Jesus’ seven last sayings on the cross. I will not address all seven in this series, but I will discuss the last three, starting with, “I Thirst.”
It has been said (and I agree) that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The Old Testament is riddled with Messianic prophecies and Jesus had to fulfill them all. So here He is, fulfilling prophecy by hanging on a the cross, and so that Psalms 69:21 might be fulfilled, He says “I Thirst.” Jesus lived a purpose-driven life right down the to very end. In Jesus’ life and in ours, nothing really ‘just happens.’ After Jesus says “I Thirst” a Roman Soldier took a took a sponge, that was on the end of a hyssop stalk, filled it with vinegar and give it to Jesus to drink. This seems like adding insult to injury. Jesus was already on the cross, already in excruciating pain, and already dying a slow death, but He actually welcomed the vinegar. Why? Because there was purpose wrapped up in it. Even the manner in which the vinegar was administered was connected to purpose. You see, hyssop was used in the Passover ceremony (Ex 12:22). Jesus would become, on this day, the last and eternal Passover Lamb.
It was prophesied that Jesus would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), in the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8-10), as a descendent of David (2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-13; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Psalm 132:11). Also, that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), then move to Egypt (Hosea 11:1), and grow up in Nazareth (Judges 13:5-7). And the list could go on and on. Time after time, event after event, Jesus was fulfilling His destiny. So it’s no surprise that when we find Him in our text, stretched out on the cross, about to give His life for humanity, that Jesus is still at work. Jesus is still focused on fulfilling his purpose (what was already prophesied about Him).
So what does this mean to you today? It may seem to you like things are going haywire in your life. Your book may not be called the Old Testament, but you too have prophecies to fulfill. You too have a predetermined and predestined purpose. When you feel like you have been tossed to and fro, from pillar to post, from place to place, remember all that Jesus went through to fulfill His destiny. You’re just going down the same zigzag road that Jesus did. Much of what Jesus did made no sense to His disciples while He was alive, but after He was gone they looked back and were able to see the purpose that was wrapped up in Jesus’ life. Sometimes our lives feel the same way; better understood when viewed in reverse. For now, what you and I must do is Trust God! Sometimes we have to drink the bitter vinegar, but we must learn to thank God for the bitter and the sweet! Can you Trust Him, even when you don’t know the purpose behind what you are facing?
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this reminder. You know the end from the beginning. You made plans for my life before I was ever formed in my mother’s womb. You know the purpose behind all that I face. Whether the glass that is set before me is full of bitter vinegar or sweet water, either way, I will never cease to give You praise and to believe that You will see to it that everything works out for my good. I may not understand the reason behind everything I face, while I am facing it, but I declare (by faith) that I will face every challenge and obstacle with the confidence of knowing that You are with me. I am determined to maximize my purpose and potential in life and I will do it. I will arrive at Your desired destination for my life. I will die empty; getting OUT of me all that You have placed IN me. I will… I will… I will! I thirst for my purpose, I thirst for Your plan for my life, I thirst for all that You place before me, and whenever I encounter a bitter experience, I know that it is just one small part of the overall story of my life; a story about grace, mercy, forgiveness, and favor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
