Throughout the Gospel According to John, Jesus is progressing towards fulfilling his role as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NIV). By the nineteenth of twenty-one chapters in John’s gospel, Jesus is dying upon a Roman cross. Jesus was the perfect “Lamb of God” sent to shed his blood so that it could cover the hearts and souls of all who believe in him (John 1:29). The apostle Paul reminds us that, “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7b NIV). His blood was shed much like the Passover lambs when the Hebrew people were slaves in Egypt in 1446 B.C. The night of the first Passover, the Israelites were instructed to wipe the blood of the lambs they slaughtered on the top and sides of the doorposts of their homes. The plague of death passed over the homes of the Hebrew slaves where blood was on the doorframes, leaving them unharmed. That night death passed by them, Pharaoh released them from slavery, and they began their journey towards the Promised Land. The night of the first Passover God concluded a chapter of hundreds of years of slavery for the descendants of Abraham and enabled them to begin a new chapter of freedom.

 

In his written account of the crucifixion, John includes that Jesus uttered, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28 NIV). This phrase seems to be another verse that reveals the humanity of Christ. Yes, Jesus was both fully divine and fully human, so his suffering was real and extreme. Yet it is important to note that there is another time Jesus requested a drink in John’s gospel. It was when Christ was at a Samaritan well and stated, “Please give me a drink” (John 4:7 NLT). John includes the detail that Jesus was “tired…from the journey” when he requested a drink from the woman at the well (John 4:6 NIV). Although his body may have been thirsty, Jesus wanted something for the lady at the well instead of something from her. He went on to explain to the woman, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water” (John 4:10 NLT).

 

Although humans rejected the Author of life and the source of living water by sending him to the cross like a criminal, the fountain did not run dry. It seemed as though death and sin had defeated the King of the Jews and Savior of the world, but the story wasn’t over. The cross was not the end. Even when it seemed as though all hope was lost, an old chapter of human history was concluding on the cross so that a new chapter of life and salvation could begin.

 

*For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

Today I am going to offer God ____________________________________________.

 

During the worship service God revealed ___________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

I am going to respond by _________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

Read Psalm 63. The psalmist shares in Psalm 63 that his soul thirsts for God

and that his body longs for the Lord. He recognizes that his soul will be satisfied in and

through God. Pray praising God for providing what we need and being the ultimate

source of satisfaction for the longing in our souls.

 

Read Jesus’ messages from John 4:1-10.

Listen to “Living Water” by Gateway Worship using the link below or searching for the song via YouTube.

Pray in response to Jesus’ message and the song.

 

Read Jesus’ message in John 7:37-39.

Listen to “Spirit of the Living God” by Meredith Andrews using the link below or searching for the song via YouTube:

Pray praising God for the Spirit of the Living God, the Holy Spirit, in us, with us,

guiding us, and transforming us from the inside out.

 

Listen to the hymn “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” with lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby and music by William H. Doane using the link below or type “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross Celebrating Holidays” onto the search bar on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrmlv806bGM

Read Jesus’ words on the cross from John 19:28-29, as well as Psalm 22:14-31.

Pray in response to what Jesus has done for us.

 

Read Jesus’ messages found in Revelation 21:6 and a summary of his message in Revelation 22:17.

Listen to “God So Loved” by We The Kingdom using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube:

Pray praising God for his living water, the gift of everlasting life, found in and through Christ.

 

Read Psalm 42 and pray using the psalmists words to help guide you.

Consider observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.