Lent5_2025_I_Thirst.docx

Devotional

Day 1: The Dual Nature of Thirst

In the crucifixion narrative, Jesus' statement, "I am thirsty," serves as a poignant reminder of both physical and spiritual needs. This expression of thirst highlights the reality of human suffering and the essential need for water, a basic necessity that many people around the world still struggle to access. It calls us to be aware of the physical needs of others and to take action to alleviate their suffering. At the same time, Jesus' words invite us to recognize our own spiritual thirst, a longing that only He can truly satisfy. This dual nature of thirst challenges us to consider how we can address both the physical and spiritual needs in our lives and the lives of those around us.

As we reflect on this, we are reminded that Jesus understands our human condition and our deepest needs. His words on the cross are not just a cry of physical pain but an invitation to seek fulfillment in Him. By acknowledging our own thirst and turning to Jesus, we can find the living water that quenches our spiritual longing and empowers us to serve others.

John 4:13-14 (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 forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

Reflection: What are some ways you can address both physical and spiritual thirst in your life and the lives of those around you today?

Day 2: The Church's Call to Social Justice

The story of Diane Farmer and her community in West Virginia serves as a powerful illustration of the church's responsibility to engage in social justice. As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet in the world, providing for the physical needs of others as a tangible expression of His love. This includes advocating for access to clean water and other basic necessities, especially for those who are marginalized and vulnerable. By doing so, we reflect Christ's teachings to care for the least of these and demonstrate His compassion in action.

The church's role in social justice is not just about meeting physical needs but also about addressing systemic issues that contribute to inequality and suffering. It requires us to be aware of the challenges faced by communities like Diane's and to work towards solutions that promote justice and dignity for all people. As we engage in this work, we are reminded that our efforts are an extension of Christ's mission to bring healing and hope to a broken world.

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Reflection: How can you and your church community actively participate in social justice efforts to address the needs of those who are marginalized and vulnerable?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Communion

Holy Communion is a sacred moment where we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and His ongoing presence in our lives. It is a time to experience His love and grace, as we remember His body broken and His blood shed for us. Through Communion, we are invited into a deeper relationship with Christ, understanding that He thirsts for a connection with us just as we thirst for His presence and peace. This sacrament is a powerful reminder of the unity we share as believers and the transformative power of Christ's love in our lives.

As we partake in Communion, we are called to reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the ways in which it impacts our daily lives. It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to Him and to be strengthened by His grace. In this sacred act, we are reminded that we are not alone in our journey of faith, but are part of a larger community of believers who are united in Christ's love.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: As you prepare to take Communion, how can you open your heart to experience the transformative power of Christ's love and grace in your life?

Day 4: Jesus' Invitation to True Fulfillment

Jesus' words, "I am thirsty," invite us to reflect on our own desires and longings. In a world that often leaves us feeling empty and unfulfilled, Jesus offers Himself as the living water that can truly satisfy our deepest needs. Whether we thirst for purpose, belonging, forgiveness, or peace, He invites us to come to Him and find the fulfillment we seek. This invitation challenges us to examine the areas of our lives where we are seeking satisfaction apart from Him and to turn to Jesus as the source of true fulfillment.

In our pursuit of fulfillment, we are reminded that Jesus understands our struggles and desires to meet us where we are. His invitation is not just a call to quench our thirst but to enter into a relationship with Him that brings lasting joy and peace. As we respond to His invitation, we are encouraged to trust in His promises and to find our identity and purpose in Him.

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: What are the areas in your life where you are seeking fulfillment apart from Jesus, and how can you turn to Him as the source of true satisfaction?

Day 5: Living Out Our Faith in Action

Our faith calls us to action, not just in prayer but in tangible support for those in need. By contributing to efforts like UMCOR's WASH program, we participate in God's work of providing for both the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors. This is an opportunity to embody the love and compassion of Christ in the world, as we seek to make a difference in the lives of others. Our actions, no matter how small, can have a significant impact and reflect the heart of Jesus to those around us.

Living out our faith in action requires us to be intentional about how we use our resources and time to serve others. It challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones and to be proactive in addressing the needs of our communities. As we engage in this work, we are reminded that our efforts are an expression of our love for God and our desire to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

James 2:14-17 (ESV): "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: How can you actively live out your faith today by supporting efforts that address the physical and spiritual needs of those around you?

Sermon Summary

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In this sermon, we reflect on Jesus' statement, "I am thirsty," spoken during His crucifixion. This expression of physical thirst is a profound reminder of the human need for water, a basic necessity that many around the world, including communities in Appalachia, struggle to access. The story of Diane Farmer and her community in West Virginia highlights the ongoing challenges of securing clean water and the role of organizations like UMCOR in providing aid. Beyond the physical, Jesus' words also symbolize a deeper spiritual thirst, inviting us to seek fulfillment in Him. As we partake in Holy Communion, we are reminded of Jesus' enduring love and His offer of living water to quench our spiritual thirst.

Key Takeaways

1. Physical and Spiritual Thirst: Jesus' declaration of thirst on the cross underscores the reality of human suffering and need. It serves as a call to action for us to address the physical needs of others, such as access to clean water, while also recognizing our own spiritual thirst that only Jesus can satisfy.
2. The Role of the Church in Social Justice: The story of Diane Farmer's community in West Virginia illustrates the church's responsibility to engage in social justice. Providing for physical needs, like clean water, is a tangible expression of Christ's love and a reflection of His teachings to care for the least of these.
3. The Power of Communion: Holy Communion is a profound reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and His ongoing presence in our lives. It is a moment where we can experience His love and grace, understanding that He thirsts for a relationship with us just as we thirst for His presence and peace.
4. Jesus' Invitation to Fulfillment: Jesus' words, "I am thirsty," invite us to reflect on our own desires and longings. Whether we thirst for purpose, belonging, forgiveness, or peace, Jesus offers Himself as the living water that can truly satisfy and fulfill our deepest needs.
5. Living Out Our Faith: Our faith calls us to action, not just in prayer but in tangible support for those in need. By contributing to efforts like UMCOR's WASH program, we participate in God's work of providing for both the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors, embodying the love and compassion of Christ in the world.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- John 19:28-29 (NIV): “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.”
- John 4:13-15 (NIV): “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
- John 7:37 (NIV): “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.’”

**Observation Questions:**

What was the significance of Jesus saying, "I am thirsty," during His crucifixion?
How does the story of Diane Farmer and her community in West Virginia illustrate the physical need for clean water?
What actions did UMCOR take to address the water crisis in Diane Farmer's community?
How does the act of Holy Communion relate to Jesus' statement of thirst?

**Interpretation Questions:**

In what ways does Jesus' physical thirst on the cross symbolize a deeper spiritual thirst?
How does the church's involvement in social justice, as seen in the story of Diane Farmer, reflect Jesus' teachings?
What does Jesus' invitation to drink the "living water" mean for individuals seeking fulfillment in their lives?
How does Holy Communion serve as a reminder of Jesus' ongoing presence and love for us?

**Application Questions:**

Reflect on your own life: What are you spiritually thirsty for, and how can you seek fulfillment in Jesus?
How can you personally contribute to addressing physical needs, such as access to clean water, in your community or globally?
In what ways can your small group or church become more involved in social justice initiatives, like those supported by UMCOR?
How does participating in Holy Communion deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and love for you?
Identify a specific action you can take this week to embody the love and compassion of Christ in your interactions with others.
Consider the role of prayer in addressing both physical and spiritual needs. How can you balance prayer with tangible actions?
How can you encourage others in your community to seek the "living water" that Jesus offers?

Sermon Quotes

"As Jesus hung on the cross, His body weak and His suffering unbearable, He spoke seven final statements. Today, we focus on His fifth statement: 'I am thirsty.'"

"Millions of people spend almost every moment of their lives seeking water. Millions more do not ever have to give it a second thought. Which category you are in depends a great deal on where you were born."

"Dehydration can cause all sorts of issues. When people are thirsty they need water. It’s spiritual malpractice when people like Diane Farmer in WV don’t have access to clean drinking water and we say, 'We’ll pray for you.'"

"Jesus calls us to give water to those who thirst because when Jesus said 'I am thirsty' it was a real physical thirst. But it also symbolized a deeper, spiritual thirst."

"Jesus’ words, 'I am thirsty,' are not just a statement of suffering, but a call for us to come to Him. Jesus thirsts for you. What are you thirsty for today?"

"Thirsty for purpose in your life? Connection, a place to belong, sense of belonging? Thirsty for forgiveness and grace? Thirsty for peace? Jesus thirsts for us because we are thirsting for Him."

"We still see this longing of Jesus for us today at this Table. In the Eucharist, He remains with us and unites Himself to us."

"Holy Communion puts us into contact with Jesus and all that He accomplished on Calvary when He said those seven last words. Through this table, Jesus speaks to us through His Word."

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Lent5_2025_I_Thirst.docx

Devotional

Day 1: The Dual Nature of Thirst

Day 2: The Church's Call to Social Justice

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Communion

Day 4: Jesus' Invitation to True Fulfillment

Day 5: Living Out Our Faith in Action

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Quotes

Chatbot

Lent5_2025_I_Thirst.docx

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