God’s love, which is stronger than death, is causing me to continue walking the path of the mission the Lord has given me (John 6:1–15). “At that very time some Pharisees came and said to Him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill You.’ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, “I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.” In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:31–35). ...
Seven words on the cross (6) [John 19:28-30] This is the fifth words Jesus said on the cross: “I am thirsty” (Jn. 19:28). Jesus obeyed God's covenant on the cross and said, "I am thirsty" (v. 28) to fulfill Psalms 69:21, “knowing that all things have already been accomplished” (Jn. 19:28). Immediately one of those present ran and took something like a sponge, soaked it in sour wine and put it on a reed (Mt 27:48; Mk 15:36), brought it to the mouth of Jesus who was nailed to the cross. At that time, Jesus received the sour wine (Jn. 19:29-30). The sour wine that Jesus received here was vinegar. The fact that Jesus, who was thirsty, received vinegar would have made Him more thirsty, suffered more, and brought Him closer to death. A scholar named John Stott said that after Jesus received this sour wine, He sai...