When our pastor asked me to speak today about the verse “I thirst,” my brain suddenly went blank. Then I thought, “Why did he have to choose me?” A little inner voice said, “He didn’t choose you. I did.” So, here I am.

Has anyone here ever been thirsty? I mean, really thirsty?

I recalled one incident when I was about nine years old, biking home from school against a strong, hot northwest wind on the outskirts of Christchurch. I was so thirsty. It was awful.

The next time was many years later, and I was on the ferry “Rangatira” going from Lyttleton to Wellington (the ferry left Lyttleton in those days; now, it leaves from Picton).

From Wellington, I was to catch the train to Hamilton. I was going to visit my sister, who lived in Hamilton.

Well, I suffer badly from motion sickness, and this particular crossing was extremely rough, to say the least. I spent all the time on my knees with my head over the toilet. I was so sick even when there was nothing left to sick up, I still kept retching.

Eventually, I arrived in Wellington, where the train was waiting. My throat was hot and dry and burning. My lips were sore and dry, and I kept licking them, but that did not help.

I knew there was a dining car on the train and thought at least I could get a drink, a cup of tea or something. I was desperate for a drink as I was totally dehydrated.

When I approached the stewardess on the train, I was told that the dining car would not be open for another hour. I was in agony.

That was the worst thirst I had ever experienced and the best cup of tea I had ever tasted.

Now for the “thirst” that caused Jesus to cry, “I thirst.”

The last time Jesus had had a drink was when celebrating the feast of the Passover in the Upper room.

It was later that evening that Jesus was arrested and treated so very badly by the soldiers, by the High Priests, and by Pilate and others.

He was punched in the face with a closed fist. He was spat upon, his beard was pulled, his back was laid open with a leaded whip, and the soldiers made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head.

All these things fulfilled the prophecy. See Psalm 22:15 (NIV) – My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

Then Psalm 69:21 (NIV) – They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Jesus lost so much blood. His strength was gone. His body was so weak naturally. He was so very thirsty, and He endured it all for us.

But note that Jesus didn’t say, “I am thirsty.”

He said, “I thirst.”

To thirst for something is to have a strong desire or to crave something. King Solomon had a thirst for wisdom and knowledge. Einstein had a thirst for Physics, etc.

Today, Jesus still says, “I thirst.”

I thirst for your love.

I thirst for your company, your companionship, and your friendship.

I thirst as a Bridegroom for his Bride.

NOTE: Mary wrote and shared this reflection on John 19:28 during our 29 March Good Friday service.