17th March, ‘I am thirsty.’ ”
“He matewai tōku.”
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
John 19:28–29 (NIV)
Pete’s ponderings : Pete’s ponderings : This door is parched and dry, coming off at the hinges and and not square in it’s frame. “I thirst” is written in coffee- the second largest commodity traded in the world. It’s written faintly, as if spoken in a parched voice. Even though the tap is open, there’s not a drop coming out of it.
Colin’s chewings : Why is Jesus here – pinned on a cross ? What was the desire on his heart that led him to this terrible place. What is Jesus thirsty for ?
Questions for reflection
- Can you remember a time when you were truly thirsty – share your story with another person.
- John carefully states “So that scripture would be fulfilled”. Read Psalm 69:19-21 and Psalm 42:2. Which of these look like fulfillment to you ?
- Jesus has called himself the source of living water in John 7:37-41 and in John 4:13-16.
- In John 4:13-16 Jesus turns the ‘spiritual’ discussion he has been having with the samaritan woman to a practical ‘lived’ embodied issue. What might that look like for us ?
- Colin read from luke 4:18-19 and Rev 21:3-4 and Amos 5:24 as being some of what Jesus was thirsty for.
- What are you thirsty for ?
- How does that affect how you live ?
- How can we encourage each other not to just settle.
- How can we keep from letting anger become bitterness in the face of injustice ?