Community Group Questions
This week we continue with week 5 of our sermon series “Last Words” as we take a closer look at the final 7 sayings of Jesus from the cross. In John 19:28, after the sins of the world had been placed on His shoulders, and after crying out to the Father in torment knowing that He had turned away from Him, “Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’”
There is a lot to be said about these two simple words, and a lot for us to consider. Jesus suffered from a real, deep physical thirst. One that was brought about through the suffering of the punishment that we deserved. Jesus also suffered in that moment from a true, deep spiritual thirst. One He had never experienced before. He suffered this on our behalf as well, so that we would never have to.
Read: Psalm 69:21, John 19:22-30, Psalm 22:15, Matthew 27: 33-34, Philippians 2:7-11
Discuss:
1. John writes, “I thirst.” Why do you think he included these two short words in his description of the crucifixion?
2. (Matthew 27: 33-34) Jesus had been offered wine previously that day, though He refuses it. However, he accepted a drink of wine this time as recorded in John 18. What is the significance of these two instances?
3. What else is significant about Christ thirsting?
Ex: What else did Christ experience besides physical dehydration?
4. How is the image or analogy of spiritual thirst used throughout scripture?
Prayer/Meditate: 1 Peter 2:23-24
