Well, I want to remind you that John's recording of everything that surrounds the death of Jesus is intentional and specific. And there's so much comfort to be found in all the little things that John makes sure that you are aware of and you remember. And God, in His grace, preserved those, recorded those for us, and preserved it so we can read and understand these beautiful things. Well, I'm going to read for you John 19:31-37.
Since it was the day of preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness-his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth-that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."
Now here's the setup. John knows there are specific things about the death of Jesus, that again, reinforce that this was part of a plan of redemption. This is actually God accomplishing the victory that he promised right after the sin of Adam and Eve. And so, this is one place where John sort of steps back and editorializes. He says, "He who saw it has borne witness," that's John speaking for himself; his testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth that you may believe. I love this-"It's true, I know I'm telling you the truth, and I'm telling you that so you would believe." I love that.
Well the custom, normally, was that the bodies of criminals who were crucified, as they were dying, they would not be able to hold themselves up anymore. They would slump down, and they would not be able to breathe, and they would asphyxiate. And then they would leave the bodies on the cross just to sort of rot in public. If they weren't dead, they would go by and break their legs so their bodies would slump down further, and that process would continue. When they arrived at the body of Jesus, John wants you to know this, he was already dead. So, there was no need to break his legs in order to speed his demise. So rather than breaking his legs, a soldier, in what he thought was a spontaneous act, just jabs him with a spear in the side just to make sure that he is dead dead. That soldier has no understanding that he is a vehicle of the fulfillment of a prophecy made by a sovereign God who has control of everything he's doing at that moment. I love this.
And so, there are two prophecies that are fulfilled in this moment. Again, "Not one of his bones will be broken." That just never happened, but it happened to Jesus. And then, "They will look on him whom they have pierced." What looked like just a spontaneous choice by a soldier to make sure he's dead by jabbing him in the side, was planned by God. This marks out, once again, who Jesus is.
So, John says, "I'm recording this moment for you, and I know it's true, and I'm doing it for one reason, that you will believe, that you'll be assured again that this is the Messiah, and this is a moment of redemptive victory!"
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Even though much of what's happening in this passage seems to be spontaneous or reactionary, what are your initial thoughts as you see and understand that all of what happened with Jesus on the cross was ordained by God and prophesied about in the Old Testament?
2. Why do you think it's so important that John slows down the narrative in this passage and editorializes for our understanding and benefit? How does his writing style here underscore the truth of the events and the identity of Jesus as the Messiah?
3. What is John's goal in this passage? How is Christ ultimately winning by losing?
4. How might the Lord want you to respond to this passage other than gaining a deeper understanding of the truth about what happened in this moment of history? Why is the pierced Savior your personal Savior? How is his sacrifice relevant to you right now?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
• What do you think the word "prophecy" means? Why do you think it's important that Jesus accomplished all the prophecies about him?
• As we read and think about what Christ did on the cross all those years ago, how does that connect to you and me today?
For Older Children:
• What do you think the word "prophecy" means? What does it mean to have a prophecy fulfilled
• As you think about the cross, how did Christ win by losing? How is what Christ did on the cross more than just a historical event? Why is it important to you today? How might God want you and I to respond to Christ dying on the cross?
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