After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst." A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Death by crucifixion was such an agonizing way to die. The dehydration which came before death was especially severe. So we can be sure that all the humanity of Jesus was screaming forth as he said "I thirst." Without question, Jesus was severely thirsty as he hung upon the cross. His cry for a drink is quite normal - very human indeed. It was a cry for something wet to moisten his cracked lips and soothe his parched throat.

In Palestine during the afternoon, a warm and oft…