Think of the Thirst

"He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.... The Lord at thy right hand.... SHALL DRINK OF THE BROOK in the way: therefore shall He lift up the head" (Psalm 109:31, 110:5,7). "He shall see the travail of His soul, and SHALL BE SATISFIED: by His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities" (Isaiah 53:11). "Jesus... was transfigured.... And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.... And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him. And suddenly, WHEN THEY HAD LOOKED round about, they saw no man any more, save JESUS ONLY with themselves" (Mark 9:7,8). "Then said Jesus unto Peter... The cup which My Father hath given Me, SHALL I NOT DRINK IT?" (John 18:11).

Think of the thirst that has brought our Lord down
To stand at the sinner's right hand!
Think of His cross and His thorn-woven crown
He bore for our ransom's demand!

Why was He stooping to drink of the brook,
Consuming the wrath from God's cup?
What was He thinking that caused Him to look
To sinners to lift their heads up?

When Moses, Elijah, and Jesus conversed,
Discussing His work of redemption
For those who were barely aware of His thirst,
The Father commanded attention.

That voice from Father which called them to hear
As Jesus was thereby made known,
Engulfed them with terror till Jesus drew near,
And then they saw Jesus alone.

And thus were their heads lifted up with relief,
When they saw alone Jesus Christ,
Who came to redeem them and drink all their grief,
And for them would be sacrificed.

O Lord, we are still at a terrible loss
To understand what You were thinking
When You were enduring that horrible cross,
With all of that cup You were drinking.

We lift up our heads, Lord, because You have died,
Yet now You are no longer dead:
You drank from the brook, You are now satisfied,
And thus You have lifted our head!