John 19:28-29 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst.… Wrung from Christ by the most agonizing of pains. Teaches us that Christ was no stoic. Psalm 22:15, fulfilled. Not bodily thirst only. The soul sympathized with the body, and through it betrayed its deepest wants. These words — I. Betray AN IRREPRESSIBLE LONGING FOR HUMAN SYMPATHY. Learn this from Psalm 69:20. The sympathy of Peter rejected because mistimed; that of the daughters of Jerusalem because misdirected. Here, and in Gethsemane, Christ, as a true Man, felt the want of it. II. Reveal THE DEPTH OF THAT HUMILIATION TO WHICH CHRIST DESCENDED IN ACCOMPLISHING HUMAN REDEMPTION. All the resources of the universe were at His disposal. Had He not miraculously fed the multitude, &c., and proclaimed, "If any man thirst," &c. That the Son of the Highest should stoop to ask aid from His executioners proves the voluntariness and greatness of His humiliation. III. Form THE CLIMAX TO THE PRECEDING CRY OF DISTRESS. "My God, My God," &c. Not the Father's approval, but the consciousness of it, obscured for a moment. Christ longed to hear the familiar words of approval, "This is My beloved Son." Two dense clouds intervened. 1. Combined hosts of darkness. 2. Accumulated load of human guilt (Psalm 69:1-3). IV. Express THE SAVIOUR'S YEARNING FOR HUMAN PENITENCE AND LOVE. He looked upon the multitude, but found no sign of relenting. When He sat on the well He said, "Give Me to drink," and meant, "Give Me thy heart" — so here. (W. Forsyth, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. |
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