We Find Satisfaction

Series: At The Cross
Message: We Find Satisfaction
Scripture: John 19:28-29

“God has set eternity in our heart, and man's infinite capacity cannot be filled or satisfied with the things of time and sense.” F.B. Meyer

There is a Physical reason and a Practical reason for this shortest of the phrases from the cross

These Words Teach Us About

1. The Humanity of Jesus

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14, ESV)

“but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7–8, ESV)

2. The perfect Fulfillment of God’s plan

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.” (Psalm 22:14–15, ESV)

“They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” (Psalm 69:21, ESV) 

3. The Horrors of hell

“And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’” (Luke 16:24, ESV)

“Jesus Christ was thirsty with that same thirst on the cross.  He endured the thirst of death and the thirst of hell so he could quench their fires for us.” James Boice

These Words Challenge Us To

1. Examine our thirsts

““Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, ESV)

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1, ESV)

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23, ESV)

• What am I thirsty for?
• Are our comforts more valuable to us than God’s will?
• Is our spiritual thirst for God as great as our physical thirsts?

2. Evaluate our thirst-quenching strategies

“for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13, ESV)

“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”” (John 4:13–14, ESV)

3. Serve Christ by Serving others

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:34–40, ESV)

4. Turn to Jesus as God’s provision for my thirst

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37–38, ESV)

“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”” (Revelation 7:16–17, ESV)

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:17, ESV)

"Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably, earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.” C.S. Lewis

Bottom Line: Because Jesus thirsted, I don’t have to!

Making it Personal

• Who or what are you looking to and asking to provide ultimate satisfaction in your life? How is that impacting your life day by day?
• Which of the truths and challenges do you most need to meditate on this week?
• What is your next step in response to these truths? What specifically will you do to live out your personal response to the satisfaction found only in Jesus Christ?
• Who can you share these truths with?