Today’s Reading: John 19:28-29
Today’s Reference: Matthew 25:35, 40b “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
“I thirst.”
After all His suffering, of course He was thirsty! A part of the anguish of crucifixion is the dehydration of the body. But why force His tortured body to say the words aloud? John makes it clear His primary purpose was to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 69:21, “and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.”
These two little words, “I thirst” show us that Jesus was fully human on the cross and they challenge us. Would we have run to quench His thirst if we had been at the foot of the cross? We’d like to think so…but how often have we failed to ease the suffering of the “least of these?”
Jesus tells us that to care for our brother or sister in Christ is the same as caring for Him. Isn’t that worth whatever it costs us in time, energy, and resources? We shouldn’t drag our feet when we see someone in need…we should run to help!
Prayer:
Father, sometimes I get wrapped up in my own needs and don’t see my brothers and sisters suffering. Help me be more sensitive, and to view everything I do for them as a gift I gladly give to You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.