Read John 19:28; Psalm 69:20–21

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)

Though Jesus became a man, He never was anything less than God. Yet He voluntarily gave up His own rights as God the Son. He submitted Himself to God the Father, so that every word He spoke was as God had Him speak it, and every act was done precisely as God would have Him do it.

As a man, He was tired and slept on a boat, but moments later, as God, He stilled the sea and calmed the wind. As a man, broken-hearted, He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, but as God, He raised Lazarus from the dead. As a man, He suffered a horrible death on the cross, but as God, He was bodily and victoriously raised from the dead.

John’s account offers an undeniable example of our Lord’s humanity. Being truly human, the God-Man experienced a common bodily need: thirst.

Christ had suffered the agony of crucifixion for nearly six hours, uttering only four brief statements. Now, out of the darkness, He uttered a fifth, very human statement revealing an intensifying of His physical suffering: “I am thirsty.”

As He hung on the cross, reviewing the covenants of God, He “knew” they had all been fulfilled up to that point. “All things had already been accomplished.”

Jesus also knew the time to complete the final sacrifice approached. To fulfil Scripture (Psalm 69:20–21), He said, “I am thirsty.” Jesus requested and took that drink because He had two more things to say and needed to moisten His throat.

Because He became truly human, experiencing pain and heartache, we’re able to connect with Him in ways that otherwise would not have happened. How very grateful we are.

Jesus, in thy thirst and pain,
While thy wounds thy life-blood drain,
Thirsting more our love to gain:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

Thirst for us in mercy still;
All thy holy work fulfill;
Satisfy thy loving will:
Hear us, holy Jesus.     

May we thirst thy love to know;
Lead us in our sin and woe
Where the healing waters flow:
Hear us, holy Jesus.
—T. B. Pollock, 1870

Adapted by Insight for Living staff from The Darkness and the Dawn by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com