I Thirst

Often, brief statements seem to have the most profound consequences on our lives. Consider, for instance, the declaration “I do.”  In one moment, two lives become intertwined, bound together by love, support, and adoration. The simple utterance of “I love you” can transform our hearts, strengthen the ties that bind us to one another, and lift us to great heights of joy. Perhaps if we hear the potent phrase “forgive me,” its gentle resonance will mend our broken relationships and heal long-standing wounds. As we can see, two- or three-worded statements have not only the power to transform our lives but also the lives of others.

It should be no surprise then that one of Jesus’ last declarations on the cross, “I thirst,” carries tremendous weight in shaping our lives. This significant statement recorded in John 19:28 is a multi-faceted testimony of Jesus’s nature, His work of redemption, and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Jesus is human and endured agony on our behalf.

First and foremost, His words serve as a poignant reminder of Jesus’ humanity. Although many people today acknowledge that Jesus lived and ministered in first-century Israel as a man, they often struggle to accept the Christian belief that he is divine as God incarnate. Conversely, in the early years of Christianity, many found it difficult to believe that Jesus was human, while more easily accepting his divine nature. The Gospel of John, however, teaches us that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. In his depiction of the seven last words, John emphasizes Jesus’ humanity, reminding us of the reality of his physical and emotional pain as he suffered on the cross.

Jesus is the source of spiritual life and salvation.

The significance of Jesus’ utterance, “I thirst,” on the cross transcends the physical suffering he endured. It delves into the realm of theology, where water symbolizes spiritual life and redemption, as depicted in the Gospel of John. In John 4, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he can provide her with living water that will quench her thirst forever. Later in John 7, he declares that anyone who believes in him will have rivers of living water flowing from within them. By saying “I thirst,” Jesus is not merely expressing a physical need for water, but also his spiritual yearning for humanity’s salvation. His statement echoes his Sermon on the Mount declaration, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Through his selfless act of sacrifice, he demonstrates his ability to make us righteous and provide the living water that satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. Therefore, we can interpret Jesus’ utterance as an affirmation of his identity as the Savior and Redeemer who can quench our spiritual thirst and bring us closer to God.

In the book, The Fourth Cup, Scott Hahn posits that this phrase alludes to the cup of consummation, which Jesus did not drink during the Last Supper. According to the Jewish tradition, four cups of wine are consumed during the Passover seder, but Jesus did not partake of the final cup. Hahn contends that Jesus intentionally avoided drinking the fourth cup during the Last Supper because he intended to drink it on the cross. By doing so, Jesus made it clear that his sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate consummation of the Passover sacrifice, serving as a testament to his mission to bring about redemption. Through this poignant imagery, Jesus affirmed his identity as the Savior, who offered himself as a sacrifice to reconcile humanity with God.

Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and Israel’s calling.

Finally, the significance of these words is found in their fulfillment of scriptural prophecy. For instance, in Psalm 69.21, we find the prophecy: “They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” When Jesus uttered the words “I thirst,” he was indicating his intention to fulfill this prophecy.

Similarly, Psalm 22 contains a messianic prophecy that foretells the Messiah’s suffering and crucifixion. Verse 15 portends the Messiah’s extreme thirst and dehydration on the cross: “My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.” By saying “I thirst,” Jesus identified himself with the suffering described in Psalm 22 and fulfilled this prophecy.

In the final analysis, Jesus’s words, “I thirst,” unveil a wealth of insights about His humanity, divinity, work, and messianic fulfillment. This seemingly straightforward declaration conveys not only his physical and emotional anguish but also his solidarity with all who undergo suffering and his spiritual yearning to offer life-giving water that satisfies the deepest desires of the human heart. Furthermore, it affirms his identity as the Redeemer, who gave himself as a sacrificial offering to reconcile humanity with the divine.

Fr. Chase