Thoughts on the Gospel of John (197) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst! Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, it is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19:28–30

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (197)
Jesus has been hanging on the cross for about six hours. In His immeasurable agony He has great thirst. And here again it is demonstrated that He is not only completely human but also the Son of God. Even in this dark hour, He surveys the whole range of Old Testament prophecies and knows perfectly well that of all the prophecies concerning His death, only one has yet to be fulfilled. Psalm 69 reads, “And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (v. 21).

Jesus is thirsty; therefore the statement, “I thirst!” But at the same time, He desires to carry out the whole will of God and all that is written about Him. That is also why He says, “I thirst!” and thus gives the occasion for the word of the Psalm to be fulfilled in Him. Then follows the significant word, “It is finished!” The unique work that God, the Father, had given His Son to do is finished. No one can or needs to continue or complete it. Only He, through His atoning sacrifice, could lay the foundation for sin to be completely put away (Hebrews 9:26). What a triumph and blessing for man, heaven and earth!

“No one has power in the day of death”, says wise Solomon (Ecclesiastes 8:8), and he is right. But here is One who has that power. He alone has the power and the right to lay down His life. And so Jesus gives up His spirit to God, His Father. He voluntarily dies for me and for you (cf. John 10:17–18)!

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Daniel 11:29-45 · Acts 4:23-31