Living Water for a Thirsting World
Rev. Janet Chilcote        

Read John 19:28-30.        

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.

One of the first phrases I learned in the Shona language of Zimbabwe,” ndipe mvura”(dee-pay mm-voo-rah) was taught to me by toddlers at the Babyfold Orphanage at Old Mutare Mission where I served for 2 years as a UM missionary . This home to 40 infants and toddlers was one of the few places in the country able to care for babies found abandoned or whose mothers died in childbirth. When I entered the courtyard of the Babyfold, I was instantly surrounded by a swarm of little ones holding up tiny cups, or broken bits of toys and crying out “Ndipe mvura!!” “Give me water!!” You see, with the few staff and many children, they were only given a drink at the set feeding times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But sitting or playing in the hot African sun, the children were perpetually thirsty. I could spend the whole day simply standing by the sink, filling cup after cup of water and giving it to eager little hands that received the precious gift with great joy! It was very little for me, but for them, it was extraordinary when someone heard their cry “ndipe mvura” and provided the cool, refreshing drink.

Water is life, and by his entering into human form, Jesus, too, became vulnerable to the experience of thirst and the physical need for water to survive. We recall his request for water from the Samaritan women at the well, in the hot midday sun in John 4: 7.  And he alone could offer her the source of “living water” that would never run dry or cause thirst again, and she begged for it!

So as Jesus hung on the cross, hour after hour, he fully experienced all the pain, and agony of our human condition. But as to His physical suffering, he spoke only this  “I am thirsty” . From birth to death, the ultimate, the most basic human need- water.   As a nurse having worked with dying persons, I know that thirst is indeed a terrible suffering for those unable to drink. And in those two words, Jesus revealed his empathetic connection to all people who suffer thirst- to orphans in Africa, to the sick and dying, to farmers standing in drought ravaged fields, to women walking miles to fill buckets of muddy, brackish water.

“I thirst” is also an invitation to the act of hospitality, so important in the Middle Eastern culture- to compassionately offer food and water to anyone in need. Indeed, Jesus says in Matthew 10:42 that anyone who offers” even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones” will not lose their reward. So imagine the pain of Jesus, being denied even the simplest act of human care and kindness and offered sour wine instead.

Recalling the woman at the well, I’m reminded also of spiritual thirst.  I believe the thirsting Jesus on the cross, at the well, and today is the same Jesus thirsting- thirsting, longing deep, deep down to draw all people to Him. He thirsts to provide the life-giving spiritual water that alone satisfies and nourishes our souls and gives real life. He longs to quench our thirst and fill us with His life-giving Spirit .And His parting words from the cross call us to meditate today on our own soul thirsting. 

Where are you parched and dry?  Where have you become de-hydrated, withered and in need of fresh watering for your souls. Look around you? Where is the thirsting Jesus in your home, neighborhood or workplace? The one whose eyes long for a look of compassion or a gift of love, and whose empty hands reach out with a cry of “Ndipe mvura” …

Prayer: O Thirsting Jesus, we cannot tell you how thankful we are that you came to earth for us and loved us enough, even to die in agony and thirst for our sakes. Lord, fill us today with your life-giving water; revive our dried, brittle souls!  Use us, Lord as your water carriers- living water wellsprings that splash on and refresh others with our compassion, care and kindness. May we become more like Jesus, for Jesus’ sake!  Amen.