I Thirst

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The definition of thirsty (as a noun)

The worldly slang has a negative connotation

A constant pursuance of sexual gratification:  Stay away from that brother/sister because they’re thirsty!

Webster’s Dictionary Definition

Noun: a feeling of needing or wanting to drink something. The lack of the liquid needed to sustain life: tens of thousands died of thirst and starvation

Practical definition / explanation

Water is basic to human life. Our bodies are made of 60% water (adult male 60%, adult female 55%, babies and children 75%, elderly 50%

  1. Blood is 83% water
  2. Brain is 74.5% water
  3. Kidneys are 83% water
  4. Liver is 86% water
  5. Muscles are 76% water
  6. Connective tissue 60% water
  7. Bones 22% water
  8. Skin 70% water
  9. Even our fat is 20% water

Jesus on the cross

Previously, Jesus had refused to drink wine mixed with a painkiller that was given to victims before crucifixion. He endured all the excruciating pain of hanging on the cross for us.

When Jesus said, “I thirst”, it had been hours since He had a drink of water but note: the stress of Jesus’ words was not that He was physically thirsty. The stress was upon His successful fulfilling of Scripture.  The wording in John 19: 28 indicates that Jesus was fully conscious and was aware of fulfilling the details of the prophesy in Psalm 69: 21:

“You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing. Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.” (Psalm 69:19–21, NLT)

Jesus’ stress

Jesus had so many stressors in His life here on Earth.

  1. Judas betrayed Him,
  2. Peter denied Him,
  3. the Roman guards whipped and chained Him,
  4. the Jews turned on Him,
  5. His own town couldn’t hear Him
  6. When times got rough many disciples left Him
  7. The disciples that stayed scattered when He was arrested
  8. He wept because Mary thought He was too late to help Lazarus

Spiritual Need

In Scripture the physical need to drink is often used as a picture of human spiritual need that only God can satisfy

The satisfaction of spiritual thirst is to be found in God

“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.” (Isaiah 41:17–18, NLT)

The satisfaction of spiritual thirst is experienced through Jesus Christ

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35, NLT)

The satisfaction of spiritual thirst is known by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and that blessing should be administered from us, as believers, to others

“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ ” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” (John 7:38–39, NLT)

There is no satisfaction of spiritual thirst apart from God

““For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (Jeremiah 2:13, NLT)

The word promises that we will be rewarded now and for eternity

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, NLT)

“They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”” (Revelation 7:16–17, NLT)

“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.” (Revelation 22:1–3, NLT)

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