Jesus had been on the cross for some six hours. The blood vessels in His body were almost dried up. Fever raged though Him. His was tongue now parched and cleaved to His jaw. The spiritual desolation expressed as He cried, “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?” had completely exhausted Him.

Eastern desert travelers can tell us what happens to people when they have no water. Their mouths bleed, their eyes bulge, and they utter hoarse, agony-filled cries as they try to fend off impending death.

By this time, Jesus was close to death. In the midst of His agony, He showed us the fullness of His humanness. Just as we would, He cried, “I thirst.”

He had already said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He had already said to the thief, “This day shall thou be with me in paradise.” He had already said, “Woman, behold thy son! Son, behold thy mother!” He had already cried out unto God with a loud voice, “My God! My God! Why has thou forsaken me?”