The Vinegar
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Good day to each and everyone of you
Today I would like to continue on our series of Jesus’ journey to the cross
As we have seen and we will continue to see it was not a nice experience to go through but he did it for you and me.
Today I would like to share with you a little bit on The WIne Vinegar that was given to Jesus to drink.
Our scripture today is from John 19 verse 29 and it says
Scripture
Scripture
29 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.
Explanation
Explanation
Now what was the significance of this wine vinegar?
Well when we look at scripture we can see that this is not the first time during his journey to the cross that he was offered the wine vinegar.
In Mark 15:23 it states that
23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
Why did he not take it?
This wine represented an offer to ease the pain, to take a small shortcut—even though it was not a major one in view of the terrible pain of the cross, but a little one nonetheless. But this offer Jesus refused, and in doing so, chose “to endure with full consciousness the sufferings appointed for him.”
Other condemned criminals would have taken the wine mixed with myrrh (to ease their torment) But Jesus would take no shortcuts on the way to our redemption.
However in this portion of scripture we can see that he did take it this time but there was no myrrh mixed in it.
So why did Jesus take it this time?
At this time there was no myrrh mixed in and he had to take it this time so that prophecy could be fulfilled.
What prophecy is this?
21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
Had he died without saying he is thirsty propechy would not have been fulfilled making God to be a liar.
In verse 28 it said that he told them he was thirsty to ensure that this prophecy would be fulfilled.
In a way, this sour wine represented the bitterness and suffering that Jesus was experiencing on the cross. It was a reminder that even in his final moments, he was still enduring the pain and agony of the crucifixion.
Vinegar would have been a very bitter drink to drink to quench your thirst and we can see that this ordeal that Jesus went through was a very bitter one.
This journey to the cross was a bitter one.
Notice that they put a sponge on the end of a hyssop reed, put it up to His mouth. Anybody reading that would immediately think of Exodus 12 – any Jewish person – Exodus 12, Passover night in Egypt. When the angel of death came you had to have blood on the door posts and the crosspiece or the angel of death would kill your firstborn. They were told to sacrifice the Passover lamb, and take hyssop and dip it in the blood and spread some over the top and both sides of the door frame.
Here is the true Passover Lamb, and hyssop again plays a part in the scene. The Jews would have to think back to the saving blood of the Passover lamb. But here is the final and only true Passover Lamb.
As we reflect on the symbolism of the wine vinegar, we are reminded of the immense love that Jesus had for us, that he was willing to endure such suffering for our sake. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope and comfort in the knowledge that Jesus has overcome death and has given us the gift of eternal life.
Let us remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and strive to live our lives in a way that reflects his love and grace.
May God bless you all.