“I THIRST” (JOHN 19:28)

GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTION
Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12/ Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9/ John 18:1-19:42
THEME: “I THIRST” (JOHN 19:28)

INTRODUCTION

• Read John 19:28-30
• Just before our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, He said: “I thirst.”

1. WHAT WAS JESUS THIRSTY FOR?

• They offered Him wine (John 19:29-30)
• Was Jesus thirsty for wine? No! (Mark 14:25)
• Was He thirsty for water? No! (John 4:10,14)

2. JESUS IS THIRSTY FOR SOULS

• St. Theresa of Calcutta says that Jesus is thirsty for souls
• Read 1 Timothy 1:15
• Jesus doesn’t want empty rooms in heaven (John 14:2-3)

3. JESUS IS THIRSTY FOR OUR LOVE

• St. Theresa of Calcutta says that Jesus is thirsty for our love
• Read John 14:15

4. JESUS IS THIRSTY FOR OUR MERCY UPON OTHERS

• Forgiveness
  • Read Luke 23:34
  • Read Matthew 6:12,14
  • Read Ephesians 4:32
• Charity
  • Read Matthew 25:40

5. JESUS IS THIRSTY FOR OUR INTEGRITY

• Read Matthew 5:37
• Read Genesis 39:11-20

6. JESUS IS THIRSTY FOR JUSTICE IN THE WORLD

• Jesus is thirsty because there isn’t enough justice in my family, community, workplace, school and in the world as a whole
• Read Matthew 5:6

7. JESUS IS THIRSTY FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD

• Read John 14:27
• Jesus, the Prince of Peace, bequeathed peace to us. However, there is no peace is some families, communities, companies, nations and the world as a whole

CONCLUSION

Jesus died so that souls will be saved, we will truly love God, be merciful to others, be people of integrity, there will be justice and peace in the world, etc. As long as the reasons for Jesus’ sacrificial death are not fulfilled, He continues to thirst. Can I personally try to quench His thirst a bit?

By Most Rev. John Kobina Louis