Of all the incredible pains that come with crucifixion-THIRST was by far the most agonizing. As the victims hung there in the tropical sun their mouths and throats cried for water. Their lips cracked and bled and their eyes glazed. Their tongues swelled in their mouths and saliva hung like drying glue in their throats. Their thirst was horrible!

Jesus' fifth saying from the cross is packed with truth. Below are three important truths (facts) that Jesus conveyed with this short sentence: 

1. Jesus Knew
2. Jesus Understood
3. Jesus Prioritized the Will of God.

Jesus died thirsty, but He arose refreshed. In His suffering, Jesus thirsted after the full restoration of His Father's fellowship, that the smile of His Father's face might be turned toward Him and His people again (Ps. 69:16, 17). In His glorification, beginning with His resurrection, His thirst was quenched. God will hear the cry of His thirsty people. "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched for thirst, I, the LORD, will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them" (Isa. 41:17). He now says to us, "whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).

Getting Started                         

1. Scientists say that when people drive dehydrated, they make the same number of mistakes that drivers make when under the influence of alcohol. Have you ever been caught without water? Can you remember a time when your thirst was crippling? Share your story.

  Read John 19:23-29

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?

 Digging Deeper

3. Sunday’s sermon highlighted three key truths that reveal the meaning of Jesus’ fifth saying on the cross: 1) Jesus Knew, 2) Jesus Understood, and 3) Jesus Prioritized the Will of God. Discuss how each one of those helps us to better understand what Jesus’ was going through as he hung on the cross.

4. What Scriptures are fulfilled by John 19:28-30 or may refer to this aspect of the crucifixion?

5. What do you learn from Jesus' Fifth Word: "I thirst"? What does this tell us about Jesus? What does this tell us about his experience on the cross?

The Heart of the Matter

6. Do the major things (the eternal things), the things of God, do they always receive top priority in your life? What are some of the temporary worldly things that tend to distract you?

7. In what ways can thinking about death in general together with the death of Christ, keep your heart and mind fixed on prioritizing the will of God in your life?

8. John 19:28 says “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture), “I thirst.” How does the thought about Jesus using His final moments to offer further proof that He was the Messiah, practically help you in your walk with the Lord?