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.
I read recently of a preacher telling his congregation that it is okay to fear because Jesus had fear in the garden. I understand his meaning but I prefer a different word that C. S. Lewis used in The Problem of Pain. The word is Dread. We experience fear mainly because we do not know what will happen. We feel dread when we know what is coming and know we will not enjoy it. I believe Jesus dreaded Good Friday but had no fear. He was sent to finish a mission and, here in these verses, we see that he could proclaim the mission accomplished. We can also see the sensory agony of the cross with the thirst of Jesus. His fearlessness in the face of dread is a perfect example for us today.
Come to Cape Community Church tonight as we observe the various emotions revolving around Good Friday and the suffering of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord that because of this day and the third day to come, all fear is gone; because I know he holds the future and life is worth the living just because…
He lives!
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church