Thirst Series

1. Thirst Blood Loss Produces Thirst

[Angel of Marye’s Heights – Fredericksburg, VA Saturday, December 13, 1862

No longer able to withstand the wrenching moans of the suffering wounded and dying Union soldiers, 19 year old Confederate Sergeant Richard Kirkland of the 2nd South Carolina approached Brigadier General Joseph Kershaw, CSA, seeking permission to go to their aid. Initially hesitant, the General acquiesced, refusing however to allow the white flag that would ensure his safety. Kirkland sprang over the stone wall with canteens full and ventured out between the hostile lines. At first, Federals fired upon the young man but ceased as they soon discovered his merciful intent. Then cheers rang out from both sides as the man to become known as the "Angel of Marye's Heights" offered water to one adversary after another. After helping those that he could, he crossed back to the safety of his lines, and resumed his duties as a Confederate soldier defending those lines.

2. Jesus spent 3 hours in the sunlight followed by 3 hours in the darkness experiencing constant blood loss

a. His first three statements focused on others – forgive-paradise-behold son/mother

b. The last statements are on himself – Forsaken Me?-Thirst-Finished-Into Hands

c. Body-Soul Spirit – Deuteronomy 6.4-9; Mark 12.29-32

3. 5th Statement from the Cross – John 19.28-30

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.

4. His thirst shows:

I. He Was the Suffering Son of Man

Isaiah 53.4

4 Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

A. He was the God-Man – 100% God-100% Man

1. Born in the same manner as we – Matthew 1.21; John 13

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

2. He Grew Like We Do – Luke 2.52

3. He Lived in Adulthood – Mishnah – 30 years vigor of occupation

B. Laid Aside His Humanity – Philippians 2.5-8; John 13

C. Complete Understanding/Identification -- Hebrews 4.15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Several years ago the NBA players were threatening to strike – they were going to shut down the league – no professional basketball – the thing that amazed the league and players was that nobody cared! – the fans began to talk about how nobody could relate to the NBA players – the players didn’t understand the common fan any longer relate to their multi-million dollar contracts, huge mansions, outlandish lifestyles, and multiple, extravagant cars – nobody could relate so nobody cared.

II. He Was the Obedient Servant of God

A. There Is a Spiritual Thirst for God

Psalm 42.1

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

Psalm 69.3; 20-21

3 I am weary with my crying out;

my throat is parched.

My eyes grow dim

with waiting for my God.

20 Reproaches have broken my heart,

so that I am in despair.

I looked for pity, but there was none,

and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me poison for food,

and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.

1. Jesus Shows Us that Obedience Sometimes Requires Suffering

2. Jesus Shows Us Obedience Demonstrates Love – John 14.15; Matthew 7.21

B. There is a Spiritual Thirst of His Disciples

1. A High Cost – Philippians 2.5, 8

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

2. High Quality – Matthew 5.6

III. He Was the Loving Savior of Sinners

A. Sin Brings Suffering

“The power of sin is the false promise that it will bring more happiness than holiness will bring. The power of sin is the power of a lie.” John Piper

1. Suffering to Sinners

2. Suffering to the Savior – tasted hell – place of thirst (Luke 16.24)

Hebrews 2.9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

B. Our Sin Brings God’s Thirst – 1 Timothy 2.1-4