The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross-37

"I thirst"

6. Here we see the expression of a universal need.

Whether he articulates it or not the natural man, the world over, is crying "I thirst". Why this consuming desire to acquire wealth? Why this craving for the honours and plaudits of the world? Why this mad rush after pleasure, the turning from one form of it to another with persistent and unwearied diligence? Why this eager search for wisdom - this scientific inquiry, this pursuit of philosophy, this ransacking of the writings of the ancients, and this ceaseless experimentation by the moderns? Why the insane craze for that which is novel? Why? Because there is an aching void in the soul. Because there is something remaining in every natural man that is unsatisfied. This is true of the millionaire as much as of the country rustic who has never been outside the bounds of his native country: traveling from one end of the earth to the other and back again, fails to discover the secret of peace. Over all the cisterns of this world’s providing is written in letters of ineffaceable truth, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again" (John 4:13). So it is also with the religious man or woman: we mean, the religious without Christ. How many there are who go the weary round of religious performances, and find nothing to meet their deep need! They are members of an evangelical denomination, they attend church regularly, contribute of their means to the pastor’s support, read their Bibles occasionally, and sometimes pray, or, if they use a "prayer-book" say their prayers every night. And yet, after it all, if they are honest, their cry is still "I thirst".

The thirst is a spiritual one: that is why natural things cannot quench it. Unknown to themselves their soul "thirsteth for God" (Ps. 42:2). God made us, and he alone can satisfy us. Said the Lord Jesus, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst" (John 4:14). Christ alone can quench our thirst. He alone can meet the deep need of our hearts. He alone can impart that peace which the world knows nothing of and can neither bestow nor take away. O reader, once more I would address myself to your conscience. How is it with thee? Have you found that everything under the sun is only vanity and vexation of spirit? Have you discovered that the things of earth are unable to satisfy your heart"? Is your soul-cry "I thirst"? Then, is it not good news to hear there is one who can satisfy you? One we say, not a creed, not a form of religion, but a person - a living, divine person. He it is who says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Heed then that sweet invitation. Come to him now, just as you are. Come in faith, believing he will receive you; and then shall you sing:

I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place,
And he has made me glad.

O come to Christ. Delay not. You are "thirsty"? Then you are the one he is seeking for: "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).

Unsaved reader, reject not the Saviour, for if you die in your sins your eternal cry will be "I thirst". This is the moan of the damned. In the lake of fire the lost suffer amid the flames of God’s wrath for ever and ever. If Christ cried "I thirst" when he suffered the wrath of God for but three hours, what is the state of those who have to endure it for all eternity! When millions of years have gone, ten millions more lie ahead. There is an everlasting thirst in hell which admits of no relief. Remember the awful words of the rich man: "And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame" (Luke 16:24). O think, my reader. If physical thirst in the extreme is insufferable even now when endured but a few short hours, what will that thirst be which is infinitely beyond any present thirst, and which shall never be quenched! Say not it is cruel of God to deal thus with his erring creatures. Remember to what he exposed his own dear Son, when sin was imputed to him - surely the one who despises Christ is deserving of the hottest place in hell! Again we say, Receive him now as yours. Receive him as your Saviour, and submit to him as your Lord.