One of the most exciting things about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is that Jesus did all He did on the cross in fulfillment of Scripture. We have continually said throughout this study that all the blessings we enjoy in this "abundant life" flow from the cross of Jesus Christ. Let's examine how this is true specifically of quenching our thirst and satisfying our soul:
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." John 19:28
Jesus Christ, in stating that He was thirsty, fulfilled Psalm 22:15 and Psalm 69:21:
“...my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.” Psalm 22:15
“They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” Psalm 69:21
Jesus' body was so dehydrated on the cross that He experienced extreme thirst. However, there is something more in His statement "I thirst" than mere physical thirstiness. On the cross Jesus Christ, though sinless and perfect, entered into the state and condition of sinful man(2 Corinthians 5:21). And man's condition in sin can be described as "thirsty," that is, he has unfulfilled longings, unsatisfied cravings, deep heart yearnings. The Rolling Stones summarized man's state in sin with their hit song, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. On the cross, with our sins upon Him, Jesus entered into this intense human "thirst."
And now that Jesus has poured His life out unto death and risen with healing (Malachi 4:2 ), we find our life in Him. On the cross, Jesus entered into the human experience of longing to give us spiritual and eternal refreshment. And even more, out of the overflow of our own delighting in Jesus, we have water enough for others. Because Jesus thirsted, we are satisfied and can refresh the hearts of others (see Philemon 1:7). Heart satisfaction and deep contentment and joyful ministry to others: This is abundant life indeed! And it comes to us from the cross of Jesus Christ.
One time a missionary in India spoke near a fountain on the subject, "Jesus, the Water of Life." A Muslim interrupted him and said, "Your religion is like this little stream of water, but Islam is like a great ocean!" "Yes," said the missionary, "but there is this difference: When men drink ocean water, they die of thirst. When they drink the water of life which Christ gives, they live forever!" The stream is small, but it can satisfy your thirst. "He who has the Son has life" (John 3:36). How true it is, friend; as we drink from the living water that Jesus gives, we are satisfied and experience the abundant life that Jesus purchased for us.
Verse 8-10 of Isaiah 35 tells us that Christians are placed on to a "highway" called "The Way of Holiness" where the impure do not walk:
“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:8-10
Question 4. What words are used in Isaiah 35:8-10 to describe the abundant life in Jesus?
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