Jesus knew that all was completed. He had omniscient knowledge. He did what needed to be done for our redemption. He fulfilled each prophecy.🤔 He was able to show John later how this act of thirst and the response of the soldiers was part of the plan.
Psalm 69:21 “They put gull in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” Jesus asked for a drink. 🤔The soldiers decided to give him vinegar to drink. I don’t think the soldiers got up that morning after having their devotions reading Psalm 22 and said, “Don’t forget to bring your dice along this morning and let’s gamble for the executed one’s robe. Also, that flask of vinegar will come in handy.”
Jesus fed the multitudes with bread and fish and produced wine at the wedding. He could have changed that vinegar into water or wine, but the cross was no place for earthly miracles now. Never did He do such things for His own convenience or comfort. This was the time for suffering for our sins.
Jesus knew. It showed His deity. It confirmed He was the Messiah, the promised one. He not only fulfilled all the prophecies, but completed all things that needed to be done for our salvation. Yet the thirst was real and a last reminder that He was also human. He had physical and realistic characteristics during execution.
They put the sponge in vinegar and placed it on a stalk of hyssop and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. Hyssop was a herb used to place the blood on the doorpost during the Passover in Egypt. Because the blood came from the lamb the people in the house were saved. Jesus finished His part.
He commanded His own death and said, “It is finished.” and gave up His Spirit. He was never a victim nor was He surprised regarding the events. His death was in His own hands. He released His own spirit and all was accomplished.
The atonement was paid. Jesus completed all the requirements of the law. How could one reconcile the fact that God hates sin and God must do what is r ight since He is holy and just? There was no other way whereby we could be saved from the punishment of everlasting damnation except that God took the punishment on Himself and bore the penalty for sin. It was just.
Jesus completed the earthly tasks He came to do. There is more to come in His Divine role.
Application: Jesus knew. Jesus knew you would get up this morning and he knows exactly what is before you today. Practice His presence in everything you do.
Prayer: Jesus, you knew. You knew all that was going to happen to you for my sake and all of those who believe in you. Help me this week as I meditate on your passion, death and resurrection, to surrender any areas of my life that still need to be given over to your sovereign love. Thank you for going to the cross for me.
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