“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
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. Interesting, but common synthesis of Divine sovereignty and free will. God planned it as revealed in the Psalms. 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 miracles now. Never did He do such things for His convenience or comfort. This was the time for suffering for our sins. He needed to quench thirst and turned to the pagans for it.
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 endured real physical suffering and humiliation during the 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.
All the Old Testament types/pictures were fulfilled: Abraham offering Isaac, the tabernacle, the sin offering, the perfect lamb, the snake on the pole, the rock that was struck from which water came forth, the serpent who crushed the heel of the seed of the woman etc. All the prophecies had been completed. Atonement had been paid. Jesus completed all the requirements of the law.
Application: How could one reconcile the fact that God hates sin and God must do what is right 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.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for completing the earthly tasks You came to do. Now we await Your reign and return. Come, Lord Jesus!
