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After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.

Lesson Objective: That each one who goes through this study might get a better understanding of the incarnation; that Jesus was fully God and fully man.

Prayer Focus: Pray that each one in your group may come to see Jesus as the "God/Man." May they begin to better appreciate his tremendous sacrifice for our sins.

Lesson
Humanity seen
Jesus hangs on the cross for nearly six hours. The time is marked by excruciating pain and suffering. Physically, his body is nearing the end. The loss of blood and body fluids leaves him emaciated and facing imminent death. He has fought the battle of sin. He has taken upon himself the debt of humanity. He has been through the hellish nightmare of separation from his Father. Spiritually, the battle is almost over. There is another side, though, to this "God/Man" -- a human side.

Jesus, realizing that all was now completed, turns to his own human needs. With the understanding that this would also fulfill scripture, Jesus allows, for a moment, his physical situation to take precedence. He calls out, "I am thirsty." The words from the parched lips of a dying man strike a resonant chord, even with an angry mob. A jar of wine vinegar is present. It is the cheap wine of common folks. A nameless person, perhaps moved by the awfulness of the moment, offers one final touch of human decency to Jesus on a day when human decency is in short supply. He takes a sponge and a hyssop plant and offers Jesus a drink.

In one fleeting instant during a six-hour ordeal, Jesus reveals to us that he is a man. We understand that he is God. We know of his miracles. He's healed the sick and raised the dead. We've heard him speak as no other teacher has ever taught. We are convinced that he is anything but ordinary. We know that he is God. In this moment, though, we learn something else. He is also a man. He is human. He is like you and me.

Humanity's significance
This moment is crucial to our understanding of Jesus. His divinity or "Godness" needs no explanation. What is unusual is his humanity. Why is it so important that we recognize that he was human like us? So that we know that he understands. The Hebrew writer explains it like this: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus, being fully God and fully man, knows what it's like to walk this earth. He's faced the same temptations that you and I face. He knows physical pain. He's been tired and worn out. He's been hungry. He's laughed, smiled, joked, and cried. He understands when you feel that way, too. There is another important facet to consider, as well. He has become one of us to save us.

A little girl had a pet rabbit that got sick. The veterinarian prescribed medicine for the rabbit, but it had to consume the pills in order to get better. The little girl tried and tried to get the rabbit to take the medicine. Her father, realizing her frustration, came to her to see if he could help. The little girl exasperated at her futile attempts to get "Bunny" to eat, exclaimed, "I wish I could become a rabbit so I could tell 'Bunny' this is for her own good."

Man was hopelessly lost, unless God could become a man in order to save him.

Humanity spared
The "God/Man" died in order to redeem all men. The perfect Lamb of God, the sinless sacrifice, bore the sins of the world. That part of the crucifixion we read about often: God died that man might live. The part that possibly gets overlooked is the humanity of Jesus. He was also one of us. He's walked in our shoes and been where we've been. He knows. Isn't that an amazing truth? Jesus knows what it's like. He understands, and while he doesn't condone falling short, he continues to love. He even died to make it right.

Among the seven words uttered from the cross, we find profound statements of forgiveness. We hear touching words of compassion. We notice agonized cries of sorrow. We remember a shout of triumph and a plea regarding coming home. In the middle of these lofty words comes a cry of human need: I am thirsty. That cry, perhaps more than any other, reminds me that Jesus was like me.

Conclusion
S. D. Gordon said, "Jesus is God spelling himself out in language that man can understand." Jesus became like us to save us. He knows the plight of humanity. He is familiar with the struggles of being a man. The cry of "I am thirsty" comes from the parched soul of a dying man. It underscores for us in a profound and powerful way that Jesus knows and understands.

Suggested Songs And Hymns
"Does Jesus Care?"
"Nothing But The Blood"
"Lord, I Lift Your Name On High"


Thought/Discussion Questions

1. Jesus' cry "I thirst" or "I am thirsty" revealed his humanity and also fulfilled scripture. What does that tell you about him?


2. Why is the fact that Jesus was "fully man" so important? What does it mean for you?


3. Jesus was "fully human" as well as "fully God." In what ways do you think this helps you relate to him and him to you?