Skip to main content

Thirsty on the Cross

By

Max Lucado - UpWords

Week of April 20

 by Max Lucado

Jesus’ final act on earth was intended to win your trust.
This is the final act of Jesus’ life. In the concluding measure of his earthly composition, we hear the sounds of a thirsty man.

And through his thirst—through a sponge and a jar of cheap wine—he leaves a final appeal.
“You can trust me.”

Jesus. Lips cracked and mouth of cotton. Throat so dry he couldn’t swallow, and voice so hoarse he could scarcely speak. He is thirsty. To find the last time moisture touched these lips you need to rewind a dozen hours to the meal in the upper room. Since tasting that cup of wine, Jesus has been beaten, spat upon, bruised, and cut. He has been a cross-carrier and sin-bearer, and no liquid has salved his throat. He is thirsty.

Why doesn’t he do something about it? Couldn’t he? Did he not cause jugs of water to be jugs of wine? Did he not make a wall out of the Jordan River and two walls out of the Red Sea? Didn’t he, with one word, banish the rain and calm the waves? Doesn’t Scripture say that he “turned the desert into pools” (PSALM 107:35 NIV) and “the hard rock into springs” (PSALM 114:8 NIV)?

Did God not say, “I will pour water on him who is thirsty” (ISAIAH. 44:3NKJV)?
If so, why does Jesus endure thirst?

While we are asking this question, add a few more. Why did he grow weary in Samaria (John 4:6), disturbed in Nazareth (Mark 6:6), and angry in the Temple (John 2:15)? Why was he sleepy in the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:38), sad at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and hungry in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2)?
Why? And why did he grow thirsty on the cross?

He didn’t have to suffer thirst. At least, not to the level he did. Six hours earlier he’d been offered drink, but he refused it.

 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, buthe did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. (Mark 15:22–24 NIV,italics mine)

Before the nail was pounded, a drink was offered. Mark says the wine was mixed with myrrh. Matthew described it as wine mixed with gall. Both myrrh and gall contain sedative properties that numb the senses. But Jesus refused them. He refused to be stupefied by the drugs, opting instead to feel the full force of his suffering.
Why? Why did he endure all these feelings? Because he knew you would feel them too.

He knew you would be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be sleepy, grief-stricken, and hungry. He knew you’d face pain. If not the pain of the body, the pain of the soul … pain too sharp for any drug. He knew you’d face thirst. If not a thirst for water, at least a thirst for truth, and the truth we glean from the image of a thirsty Christ is—he understands.And because he understands, we can come to him.

NEW Gift Book! This story from:
This is Love - The Extraordinary Story of Jesus
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Masters

By
2 Masters Deut. 18:14  -  'For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.   One of the main reasons Saints of God today are not being blessed is because they are serving 2 masters. And when I say blessed, I'm not talking about money! Atheists, agnostics, homosexuals, luciferians, etc. all can have money without being blessed of God, so get that out of your head. We have been programmed to hear the word blessing and automatically reach in our wallets and pockets, but working will get you money. God does not have to shovel out cash because he doesn't have cash, men do! So, work and you will havemoney! But when I say blessing, I'm talking about, your children being free from the devils strongholds, your marriage being sound and loving, your home being free from witchcraft, your possessions being safe from robbers and ...
2 comments
Read more

SHEPHERDS (CHRISTMAS TEACHING)

By
Prophet Dr. David E. Owuor given on 24th DEC  2015, on JESUS is LORD Radio http://www.jesusislordradio.webs.com/ Now in the Book of Luke chapter 2 from verse 1 he says from verse 1 He says that,  "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augusta that all the world should be registered."   Verse 2 he says,  "The census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria."   Verse 3 he says,  "So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city."   Verse 4 he says,  "Joseph went up to Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife who was with child. So it was that while they were there the days were completed for her to be delivered."   Verse 7 he says,  "And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid H...
Post a Comment
Read more

Open Heaven

By
by Prophet Dr. David Owuor TO DRAW AN UNDERSTANDING  on this novel segment on the visitation of the GODHEAD, it is indeed indispensable  that we examine one other aspect relating to such a monumental visitation upon the face of the earth. Whenever the GODHEAD chooses to leave HIS dwelling in heaven and come down upon HIS people, the most inevitable occurrence that can not be precluded from any engagement underscoring it, is the fact that such an occurrence always invariably leads to an OPEN HEAVEN over the church. We are vividly reminded here when the LORD Jesus took the three confidants who were close to HIS heart up the Mountain of Transfiguration. The visitation that accrued  thereon  became a monumental milestone whose bearing continue to ramify the hearts of the believers owing to the fact that it was at that summit that the Perfect Lamb...
Post a Comment
Read more