"I Thirst"

As promised, here are some thoughts on John 19:28. These are more organized, as I used this in sermon form. One assumption to keep in mind is that I believe Christ = God.

Historical Significance (Creation to Calvary)
1. God created the water of the earth: "The sea is His, and He made it" (Psalm 95:5).
2. God manipulated water: The parting of the Red Sea.
3. Christ controlled water: Walked on the water and calmed the sea. The calming of the sea is most interesting - after a storm, the sky clears long before the sea calms. However, it was simultaneous when Christ spoke.
4. Christ changed water: Turned water into wine.
5. God re-created water: The miraculous bringing of water from the stone in the life of Moses.
Yet, with all of this, Christ thirsted on the cross. He did not cause rain to fall, nor cause someone to bring Him water.

Immediate Significance (Calvary)
1. It proves Christ's humanity. It is a scientific fact that piercings such as the ones Christ had in His hands & feet would cause a fever. And, just as a fever makes me thirsty, it made Christ thirsty. Also, you never read of an angel thirsting.
2. It proves Christ's love. This is the only time on the cross that Christ mentioned anything concerning His own need. He first thought of the need of His killers ("Father, forgive them..."). Notice also that He said this after all of the physical suffering from men had been brought upon him. Then, He thought of the need of His own mother ("Woman, behold thy son..."). Finally, He thought of the need of a sinner ("Today thou shalt be with Me in paradise.). Following all of this, He mentions His own need.
3. It proves Christ's victory. This is spoken immediately preceeding His cry "It is finished," probably separated by mere seconds. In a time of intense battle, thirst is the last thing you think of. However, when the battle is over, then it comes to mind. Samson did the same thing after killing 1000 men with a jawbone. He never realized his thirst until the battle was over. Christ's battle was over; the battle with the punishment for sin.
4. It proves Christ's sanity. I love what John says, "Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished..." This was not a man with a slipping mind, falling off slowly into death. He was as alert as He had ever been, and knew exactly what He was doing. There was one more scripture to be fulfilled prior to His death.

Eternal Significance (Calvary to Eternity)
1. It shows Christ as Comforter. If He can understand something as simple as thirst, can He not understand everything we go through? We truly have a High Priest who understands everything we go through (Heb. 4:15).
2. It hints at Christ as Judge. He thirsted on the cross, the same fate of all those in Hell. Thirst is the eternal result of sin (Luke 16).
3. It shows Christ as Savior. He who thirsted gives us living water.