Why Did Jesus Say 'I Thirst' While Hanging On The Cross?
"After this, Jesus, knowing that everything was now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst."" – John 19:28
The Lord Jesus, fully God and fully man, was bent on doing nothing but the will of the Father. Even as He hung on the cross, everything that He said and did showed God's love and person to all. And one of the shortest things He ever said actually teaches us so much. He said, "I thirst."
But why did the Lord Jesus say these two words as He hung on the cross? I want to offer some perspectives.
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The Scripture perspective
"...that the Scripture might be fulfilled..."
The Lord Jesus, the Word made flesh, lived the Word of God. Everything He ever said or did was according to the Scriptures. He wasn't bookish, but was ultimately adherent and obedient to God's Word. And that is why He is able to do the Father's will.
John 19:28 tells us that He said "I thirst" so "that the Scripture might be fulfilled." Some commentaries say those two aren't connected. Some, on the other hand, say John saw Christ's words as a fulfillment of Psalm 69:21, which says:
"They also gave me poison for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."
The Human Need perspective
Christ was, of course, fully human just like us. After being lashed and walking for a distance with a heavy wooden cross on His shoulders under the heat of the sun, the Lord Jesus Himself would obviously be longing for water.
Some see this as fulfillment of Psalm 22:14-15, which says,
"I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death."
The Love perspective
The Bible tells us that the Father loved us so much He sent His one and only begotten Son for us. His Son, Jesus, embodies the loving nature that He has towards all men: that He wants all of us to be saved and come to a relationship with Him (see 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:19).
This great desire is what burned inside the Lord's heart. During His earthly ministry, He would go from place to place declaring the Kingdom of God. He would heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, liberate the oppressed and free the captives. And He didn't condemn sinners; rather He forgave those who repented and told them to go and sin no more (see John 8:11).
His heart was and is full of compassion for all. And although He was continually rejected by His own (see John 1:11), He did not stop longing for His people:
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34)
He still longs for His people
Even now Christ longs for people to know Him. That is why He has commissioned all who believe to preach His Gospel to all men (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). Do you feel His thirst for His people?
