Good Friday
Categories: uncategorized
Date: 15 April 2006 00:21:02
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fullfil the scripture), 'I am thirsty' John 19:28.
Thirst. A physical need, an uncontrollable desire.
We all need water to live.
Everybody feels thirsty.
It is a natural reflex which keeps us alive.
Water is so often taken for granted.
We don't always realise our need, our thirst for water
Until there is only a little.
Until there is none.
What does it feel like to be thirsty?
Your mouth is dry.
You feel weary. Lethargic. Weak and tired.
Your whole body longs for water.
All energy, all other thoughts are gone.
You must satisfy that need before you can carry on.
Like on a hot summers day.
When you ache for a drink, to cool and refresh.
Thirst. Need.
An aching. A longing for something. Anything.
Water. Food. Rest. Peace. Justice. Love. Freedom. God.
A satisfaction for our basic needs.
And for the basic needs of those around us.
Our world, torn apart by injustice, war, violence and poverty.
Our world is thirsty for God's healing power.
Sun-baked fields thirst for rainfall,
Plants wither and die without its life-giving sustainance.
As people struggle to find daily food and water,
Countries destroyed by war thirst for peace.
Jesus came to our world to satisfy this need.
He healed the sick.
He set the prisoners free.
He spent His life working with the vulnerable.
The outcasts.
Those who suffered.
He came to show us the deepest of needs which we have inside us.
This thirst which we were unaware of.
For peace in the world.
For peace in our lives.
For the life giving water which will fill our parched souls.
For God.
He alone can satisfy our needs.
Jesus knew what it was to be thirsty.
He lived and suffered on earth as we do.
He understands everything we go through, good and bad.
He's been there before.
He yearned for food and water.
For peace and justice in this world.
For us to love one another as we love ourselves.
