by Terrence Clark CLC (review)
I'm Thirsty Wednesday 4.1 “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). Psalm 69:21: “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” If we only knew the expanse of this verse It one of the fewest phrases of Words the Lord spoke on the cross other than “It is Finished.” Again, we see the physical element of His humanity tortured by the horrors of the crucifixion. Jesus body has already gone beyond the limit of natural human endurance. He keeps going by pure will. His and the Father’s which are one. The blood lost began at the beatings. They have scourged him beyond the point of human recognition. He has been reduced to the eyes of his executioners to a mangled piece of meat managing to still stay a foot. Yet this still does not quench the thirst of their hatred for the one who challenged their relationship with true love. He has been pushed beyond exhaustion, carrying the heavy cross, in his torn condition, down the almost half mile of the Via Dolorosa (Painful Way), up Mt. Calvary. It is bright sunny day whereas the weather is concerned. It is approaching noon---the heat of the day. The stench of drying blood is in the air. The smell of death reaches into the soul of the crowds lining the street. He makes it to the destination. Simon from Cyrene, a follower, has been compelled to help him carry the beam the rest of the way. They lay him upon the ground onto the patibulum , stretch him out and nail him to the wood with iron nails. He wrenches at both the sharpness of the impaling and the sound of the hammer. They keep hitting until it’s sure. They repeat the act two more times in the other arm and then his feet. The cross is lifted and then dropped into its hole, jarring his weight against his wounds. Dehydration is usually not felt in the throat. It often affects the body in other damaging ways. Thirst is different. It drawls not from the body alone. Anyone who has ever been truly thirsty knows that real thirst reaches into the soul. It tampers with a man’s very existence. Humans can go 30 days without food, but only 72 hour without water. The human body is made up of 75 percent water. The average person in order to run at maxim efficiency needs 8 cups of water a day. Water deficiency is linked to many aliments in the human body. It is often said that there is no liquid than can satisfy a human like a glass of water. And that’s an average man, at average condition. Jesus in all that he has gone through calls out. They give him vinegar. Vinegar was customary for those who were being crucified. Perhaps another means of torcher for those who were condemned. He wasn’t crying out for water to sustain him anyway. He was almost finished completing what he needed to do. Earlier he refused the gall---sedative that they lifted up to his lips—choosing to feel the pain. He needed to be in his right mind to finish his course. He again was fulfilling scripture (Psalms 69:21). He cries for those who place he has taken. He feels the internal and eternal cry of all humanity. The prophets say: Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Isaiah 55:1 - Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Revelation 22:17 says 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Many of the world’s ills are result of people trying to satisfy the thirst of their souls. The breaking of every commandment is centered in man’s lust, greed, and covetousness. People hurt, murder, steal, rape, and abuse trying to satisfy something in them at the expense others. When others don’t become the victim then people sell and lease their own souls to the market, commercials, or trends. The emptiness of the soul was satisfied on the cross. Moment later, after this cry, they would pierce his side---- blood and water would flow out. It would bring reality to what Yeshua said at the feast – John 7:37, 38 ---In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. There is no desire of flesh, heart, or soul that Jesus did not satisfy when he took the place of every person on the cross. However, ever cup of desire must first be dipped there. If these journal excerpts have been a blessing to you, please pass them on to your friends. And please visit us and share your testimony on www.VoiceCNC.com Consider making and investment into this ministry to help as we reach the world with the good news. Terrence Clark is ordained Christian minister assisting multiple churches and ministries. He is the Chief Editor of VoiceCNC.com and is also a Certified Christian Life Coach—helping people to Win, Overcome, and Advance in the kingdom of God. For Life Coaching or to have Rev. Clark speak at your church or event email us at Vof1@aol.com or call (856) 728-0777 |
If these journal excerpts have been a blessing to you, please pass them on to your friends. And please visit us and share your testimony on www.VoiceCNC.com
Consider making and investment into this ministry to help as we reach the world with the good news. Terrence Clark is ordained Christian minister assisting multiple churches and ministries. He is the Chief Editor of VoiceCNC.com and is also a Certified Christian Life Coach—helping people to Win, Overcome, and Advance in the kingdom of God. For Life Coaching or to have Rev. Clark speak at your church or event email us at Vof1@aol.com or call (856) 728-0777 |