Jesus was thirsty, just before He died. It isn’t surprising—He had lost a lot of blood, and had had nothing to eat or drink since dinner with His disciples the night before. And He was utterly helpless—hands and feet nailed to the cross.
So He said, “I’m thirsty.” And someone took pity on Him and dipped a sponge into the sour wine the soldiers brought to drink, and put it on a branch to reach His lips.
What a human thing for Jesus to complain of! And no surprise, for this is God become a Man, one of us—born for us, and now thirsty, suffering, and dying for us on a cross. Why? Because He loves us. Because He wants something more than water, more than life itself—He wants you to be safe and forgiven and beloved and His own forever.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I want You to have what You desire. Let me be Yours. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When can you remember being incredibly thirsty?
* What was it like when you finally had a drink?
* What does it mean to you, to know that God desires you as His own?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.