I am Thirsty

 

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”-John 20:31

How do we define a leader nowadays? Someone with a strong character? Excellence in academic? Remarkable life skills? Adaptability? Our definition nowadays are not far from how it was back in the 1^st Century. Rightly so, for a leader would be a person who would be able to bear the weight of any decision made by the group or organization. Needless to say, leadership role is not for the faint-hearted. It has come to no surprise that Jesus’ disciples left Him during the arrest at the Mount Olives (John 18:1-14). Why did Jesus has allowed himself to be captured? After all the ruckus at the temple (Luke 19:45-48), why He did not display His divine authority as He always did during His miracle works? Some of the questions that may crossed the disciples’ mind as they witnessed their great religious and political leader being brought low as the common criminal. The person that they have highly relied upon has become a stranger to them. The Roman authority has been shown as great undefeated super power has now defeated their leader through this ultimatum -- the filthy cross.

In the past, it is quite normal for a political leader to be exalted to the point of deity. For example, Julius Caesar  has been exalted and revered as god in the Greco-Roman world by his son, Caesar Augustus, a political move that cemented his position as the leader. No wonder the statues of the Roman Emperors would be carved in a perfect physic, liken to the likes of Greek gods -- to show power, domination, and exalted position above the rest of human thus granted the merit to rule over the people. A stark differences compared to Jesus. A Jewish teacher, highly influential leader, and yet, humiliated with the worse punishment could ever be given to human at that time. The hope for a revolution gone with the leader. Jewish people last hope extinguished on the cross. What could be worse than a divine leader who has demonstrated divine power in many occasions succumb to the basic human necessity -- the need to relinquish the thirst. Baffling irony.

The question remains though, why John has to write the passion account in such detail, and yet left nothing to explicitly define the intention? On the highlight of the crucifixion account, he began by saying “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled” (John 19:28) indicating that all the event running up to this point is to fulfill the word of the Scripture. No clear mentioned of which but many theologian would agree that this account is the fulfillment of Psalm 22 and Psalm 69. Whereas in Psalm 69, it is a clear mentioned to that very account of Jesus’ desire to be relinquished of the thirst (Psalm 69:21). John, a fan of imagery in his writing must have included all the details for two reasons. First, to highlight the parallel of Jesus with David and second, to point out to the fact that this event is a victory rather than defeat.

Reading through both psalms, you can actually feel the weight of despair and humiliation. But, both psalms did not end with ranting out frustration alone nor does it become the display of faithlessness. Rather, both psalms displayed David’s undivided trust that God will deliver him in spite of the grave situation he was in (Psalm 22:24). Unlike many of us including myself, such despair can only bring complaints and frustration. Understandably though since none of us could perceive the plan of God for us nor do we have the fore-knowledge of what is yet to come. Same goes to David, and yet, he claimed that he will praise God in the great assembly (Psalm 22:25) -- he knows that God never turns away when he call; a great trust on God’s faithfulness (verse 24).

What is the source of such undivided confidence? What it has to do with Jesus then? The answer to that questions is God. God is the source of such confidence for God will never forsaken His beloved creation, hence, what happened to Jesus then was a proclamation of that divine promise, that the LORD God, has come to the rescue -- through the death of His only begotten Son (John 3:16; John 1:29). Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled two duties. Human duty as originally designed, and divine duty as He always be. The first human was decreed to fulfill the role of co-ruler of the creations along with God (Genesis 1:28). Perfectly reflected by Christ obedience to the Father’s command to die on the cross for humanity. By fulfilling that task, He ultimately fulfilled divine task of saving humankind from perpetual death inflicted by sin (Hebrews 9:11-14). Jesus, the perfect lamb of God has become the bridge for humankind to cross over from death to life (John 5:24).

John, one of His favorite disciple captured the essence of the sacrifice and able to relate it closely to their Jewish mentality. He made sure to leave no room of assumption that Jesus’ death was accidental, insignificant, and self-defeating. No. John proclaimed it with exclamation mark that here; this Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the true Son of God that could bring humanity to life, to eternal peace, to salvation. A kind of salvation that we will experience not in this world but in the world to come. Yes. John written this gospel at the most perfect time of when people need the assurance that God does not turn the deaf-ear on their suffering. Things may seems to be unfavorable to us, the people of God, however, through this gospel, John wanted us to know that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He will not leave nor forsake us (Joshua 1:5).

Will this God remain our God yesterday, today, and tomorrow too? Maybe not. But we can be sure that He will always be our God. The death of Jesus on the cross was not in vain. He has indeed fulfilled God’s greater desire for humankind; life. Let us, therefore, live a life of blessings and thanksgiving and proclaim His great wonder upon us in the great assembly; God is Great!