Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, “I’m thirsty.” A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, “It’s done … complete.” Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit. (John 19:28-30 ESV)
Thirst
We often are blind to the benefits of our senses. Pain, for instance, is a warning of danger. (“GET YOUR HAND OUT OF THAT FIRE!”) The feeling of temperature extremes is a signal to get appropriate clothing, or alter circumstances.
Jesus’ thirst here is much more than a journal-like entry of what Jesus did on the cross.
He experienced thirst… severe thirst… because while divine, He was also fully human.
God is not thirsty.
Angels are not thirsty.
Spirits are not thirsty.
But people… WE are thirsty.
And as the Messiah, Jesus, was about to die, one of His last experiences was physical thirst.
He was displaying His humanity.
Because that Humanity gives His death half of it’s meaning.
If Jesus was not really a human person, His death would have no value. It would be an unfair, temporary sacrifice.
But His thirst shows He died for US humans.