The Death of Jesus - John 19:28-37

READ JOHN 19:28-37

Jesus, you are the great Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep while the sheep cannot understand. You gave your life for those, like me, who would aid in your execution. I think too much of myself and too little of you – I’m sorry. I'm defenseless like a sheep, but you are the great Shepherd. Thank you for coming for me as I am helpless and bring no merit of my own. Jesus, I want the gospel to impact me as never before. Please show me the beauty of your love. Amen

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast – Psalm 22:14

They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. - Psalm 69:21

It is by dying that your shepherd proved his love for you. When danger threatens his sheep and he sees himself unable to protect them, he chooses to die rather than to see calamity overtake his flock. What am I saying? Could Life himself die unless he chose to? Could anyone take life from its author against his will? He himself declared, “I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again; no one takes it from me.” To die, therefore, was his own choice. Immortal though he was, he allowed himself to be put to death.

By allowing himself to be taken captive, he overpowered his opponent. By submitting, he overcame him. By his own execution, he penalized his enemy, and by dying he opened the door to the conquest of death for his whole flock. And so the good Shepherd lost none of his sheep when he laid down his life for them. He did not desert them but kept them safe. He did not abandon them but called them to follow him, leading them by the way of death through the lowlands of this passing world to the pastures of life. – Peter Chrysologus

In the end, Jesus, the source of life-giving water, was thirsty. He was thirsty so that we might drink.