We continue our study of the Gospel of John. Jesus had taken all of our mistakes and sins upon Himself, and had been crucified for us. And with the words, “It is finished,” He died for you, and me. Picking up at verse 31, of chapter 19, we read the words of the Apostle, as he wrote:
“Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish Leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus , and then the other. But when they came to Jesus, and found that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water…These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. “Not one of His bones will be broken.”, (Psalm 34:20), and as another scripture says, “They will look on the One they have pierced.” (Zec, 12:10)
Later, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night, asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. They wrapped Him in linen cloth, and laid Him in a borrowed grave that was new and close to where He was crucified. They rolled a large stone into the door intending to return after the Sabbath. Many of the women who had come to Jerusalem with Jesus to minister to Him saw, and also intended to return after the Sabbath.” (parts summarized) John 19: 31- 42
At every turn, Jesus was fulfilling scripture. “Not one of His bones will be broken.” (Psalm 34:20). The Jews were celebrating the Passover. This is where the Lord used the blood of the sacrificial lambs to put upon the door of each home of the children of God that would signify they were to be protected. The death angel would “pass over” that home and spare the first born as it saw the blood. The lamb was to be perfect in every way, and “Not a bone was to be broken.” Jesus, the Lamb of God, was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. As the Word says, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) Not a bone was broken. And as the soldier pierced the side of Jesus, instead of breaking His legs, Scripture was fulfilled. After His resurrection, Jesus would invite doubting Thomas to put his hand where He was pierced.
Of course the taking of our sins, and giving us His glorious grace in their place was the ultimate reason for His dying for us, but the fact that time after time scripture was fulfilled to help us believe is beautiful to behold as we look upon each move. Let us marvel each day as we give thanks for what He did for us, and what He does every day as we walk with Him. Everything has purpose. Let us walk in the Peace that brings as we realize that truth. Let us rejoice and be glad in that truth.