Some times it is the small things that have a great impact…the first time a baby laughs or says Dadda or Momma.
A quick word or action of kindness by a stranger when needed
A hug at just the right time
It doesn’t have to be large to be significant today’s word is like that
John 19:28,29
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.
“I thirst” what a seemingly insignificant phrase from the cross but it’s meaning is so much deeper than it seems
In fact, it may have sent Matthew to think about another significant moment where a drink was needed
Matthew 10:42
“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Why was that important? Here is Matthew to share his take on it
Matthew – Roy
How is something simple like a glass of water an act of love?
Before we get to Jesus, those of you that have had children and those who were once children (This should then include everyone)
Remember a nightly ritual that happens in many homes
The story is read, teeth are brushed, prayers are said all tucked in then “I need a drink, or can I have a drink?
A little insignificant cup of water is the evening’s final act of parental kindness, bringing peace to the child…it would seem to be an insignificant act but as the child grows it is a small act of kindness that brought great comfort and a sense of love to the child.
Notice the way this verse reads from John 19:28
John 19:28,29
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”
The Gospel of Mark tells us that this was about the 6thhour of the day. Jesus had been hanging on the cross from 9am and now it is 3Pm.
For the first 6 hours
– He talked to his Father about us
– He talked to a terrorist about heaven
– He talked to his clos friend about caring for His mother
– He felt the agony of abandonment for us in its fullness
After he had taken care of all the needs of others he now look to have his need met.
As Jesus was going to be nailed to the cross he was offered wine mixed with Myrrh which was a concoction to help to numb the pain Mark 15:23 but he refused
This act of Jesus thirst has great significance
Jesus placed all the needs of others above his own…think how our families, schools, government, this church would be if we all chose to follow His example always…even just taking time to be aware of the needs of others would make a dramatic change in our environment
Paul wrote this to the Philippian church and it is a great example of what Jesus did on the cross
Philippians 2;3-5
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
Jesus could have played the “God – card”he could have chosen not to feel the pain, agony, hunger or thirst but instead he felt it all not escaping one moment of the suffering so he could relate to even the most horrid situations we go through
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
There isn’t any pain, rejection, suffering you can go through that he can’t empathize with you, he understands while he was totally God, he was at the same time totally man feeling all the pain that we could possibly imagine and he did it for you and I so we would know that he understands…he felt the intensity of the pain and rejection on the cross as we continue on in Philippians we see that to be true
Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Thirst came a result of the blood loss and dehydration making his mouth and throat parched and nearly impossible to speak…Jesus didn’t escape this suffering but felt it completely so we might know that He understands but he is also desiring to end our thirst.
John 7:37-39
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
He cried out in Thirst knowing that His suffering was soon to be over but earlier in His ministry knowing this point would come wanted us to know that we need not ever thirst because of what He would do on the cross. Because of his death, resurrection, and ascension he would be able to release the Holy Spirit to fill all men and women so they would be thirsty never again….in a few weeks we will be talking about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
To further prove He was the messiah, the anointed one, the God man in the flesh he had to thirst…
Two messianic propheciesthat stand out that show us who Jesus is, words spoken centuries earlier
Psalm 22:15
“My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.” NLT
Psalm 69:21
But instead, they give me poison for food;
they offer me sour wine for my thirst.
These two little words, “I thirst” once gain helped fulfill two of the hundreds of prophecies Jesus was showing to the Israelites so they might recognize him as the Messiah for the world (God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3)
Remember the cup of water we talked about in the beginning, the one given to nearly every little kid in history before bedtime? This little bit of drink that Jesus was given enabled Him to prepare to speak the last few words he would to finish the task he came to accomplish on earth.
It was just a little thing, something seemingly insignificant but powerful enough to change the world.
If all you have is faith that you seem to think is little or insignificant, think again…everything given to the Lord has significance…two simple words impacted the world, fulfilled prophecy, and prepared for something greater
You applying your little faith to your life and the lives of other can do the very same thing
As you are daily being faithful to the call of God on your life
As you are daily being faithful to God’s leading and guiding
As you are daily being faithful to pray for your kids, your parents, church family
As you are daily being faithful in the reading of the word
As you are daily being faithful to believe that God will come through for you
None of these things are little or insignificant but they may seem like it from the world’s perspective but they are the things that truly change the world