Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Psalm 143.

TEXT: And my tongue sticks to my jaws (see Psalm 22:15).

Jesus has used powerful imagery to describe His thirst:
poured out like water, heart melted like wax, strength dried
up. Now His tongue sticks to His jaws.

He has had nothing to drink since the Last Supper, unless
perhaps the angel that ministered to Him during His prayer in
the Garden of Gethsemane gave him some liquid refreshment.
But even in that intense prayer in the Garden, Jesus began
pouring Himself out for us. Luke tells us His sweat "became
like great drops of blood falling down to the ground"
(see Luke 22:44). From that moment on no water or other
drink was permitted Him.

Hanging naked on the cross, under the blazing sun, Jesus
grows more and more dehydrated. He is so thirsty His tongue
sticks to His jaws. The Roman soldiers fill a sponge with wine
vinegar and hold it in front of His lips, but just beyond His reach,
it's part of their cruel mockery (see Luke 23:36). Only in the
moments before His death-after Jesus has finished paying for
our sins-will He actually receive a drink.

Jesus gave us a similar description of hell in His account of the
rich man and Lazarus. Here, the rich man "in Hades, being in
torment ... 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.' But Abraham said,
'Child, ... between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in
order that those who would pass from here to you may not be
able, and none may cross from there to us'" (see Luke 16:23-26).

Jesus suffered the fires of hell and great thirst on the cross so
you and I need never go thirsty.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, You endured the pangs of hell in my place.
Guard me in this faith as You bring me through this life to Your
glorious home. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)