City Life Starter

Written by Blesson Selvanesan

The Word

²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Interpretation

Jesus was severely tortured. Thursday night’s supper at the upper room was his last meal and drink. He went to pray at the mount of olives that night where he shed blood, sweat and tears. He was captured and dragged from one place to another. He was severely beaten, flogged, slapped and pierced with a crown of thorns. He then was made to carry his cross uphill to Golgotha. He was mocked, spat upon and tortured.

After all this, he was crucified. He had lost blood and water and was dehydrated. On the cross, while struggling to breath, he said I am thirsty. He was not given water, instead sour vine or vinegar. After that, he said it is finished and gave his spirit and died.  

Application

Jesus was not just God but was also man. He was 100% God and man at the same time. He did have physical needs and he had to ask others for help in his helpless state. He gave up his majesty and glory and came to earth to fulfil a mission. He came to die as a ransom for us. All the wrath of God against the sin of humanity was pointed upon him and he became the sacrificial lamb.

Many would think Jesus was a tragic figure. Jesus was an amazing teacher and a mighty healer, but they killed him. He promised living water, but now he was so vulnerable and asking for a drink. It is essential to realize that the purpose of the birth of Christ is to die. He was born to die. Prophets have prophesied this and Jesus himself have talked about this. Death of Jesus was not a tragedy, but it was essential for the salvation of humanity. What we see on the cross is the gory consequence of sin. He became helpless and lost everything for the sake of sinners, so that we may be forgiven. Sin is gruesome and someone had to pay for the redemption. Jesus did! There is no free lunch, someone will have to pay for it!

It was finished but it was not the end. His spirit was not snatched, but he gave it on the cross voluntarily. It was not the end of everything; it was just a beginning. If he had not loved us enough to die for us, we will not be talking and thinking about Jesus today. A seed will have to die for a new plant to grow, Jesus had to die to give a new beginning and a clean slate for us to start our lives. He finished his mission and now its up to us to personalize what He did for us. He is no longer confined to time and space; He is with us as He promised.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for being our living water. You had to finish a sinless life for our sake. We thank you for finishing it for us at the cross. We have eternity in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.