AN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE

JOHN 19:31–37

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 immediately blood and water came out

(John 19:33–34)

After having recorded in verse 30 that Jesus “gave up His spirit,” John spends the next four verses making the point that Jesus was truly dead and that He was the acceptable paschal lamb, as the prophecies indicated. Many throughout church history, and some who were present in John’s day, refused to believe that Jesus was really human, and, therefore, that He actually died. John, whose gospel maintains that Christ was not only God Incarnate, but fully human, goes to great pains to set the record straight. There were many skeptics (docetists) of that time who asserted that Jesus was not human, and others (the Jewish authorities in particular) who claimed that Jesus never really died on the cross and that He was released from the tomb as part of some great conspiracy carried out by His disciples. People continue to speculate today.

John wanted to put all speculation to rest. He saw Jesus die. He saw the water and blood flow from His side. If Jesus had not been dead, the guard would have broken His legs. This, of course, did not happen. Such breaking of the bones (crurifragium, as it is called) by the use of heavy blows with a hammer was terribly inhuman. It caused death, which otherwise might be delayed by several hours or days. The Jews, ever committed to the ceremonial law (though not to the moral law), wanted the prisoners dead so the land would not be defiled. The guard, then, crushed the prisoners’ legs. For one to breathe while being crucified, one would have to push up with the legs. If the legs were broken, it would be impossible to breathe, and death would come quickly. Jesus, having already died, would not endure this final humiliation.

How, then, did He die? Much speculation has surrounded this question. When Jesus was pierced by the spear, “water and blood” flowed from His side. Most physicians agree that this was the result of a ruptured heart. Some have disputed this, saying that a rupture could have happened only if the heart was diseased, and Jesus was without blemish. But Jesus suffered as no man ever had before (in spirit). To say Jesus died of a broken heart might very well be true. Whatever the cause, let us be sure that He did, in fact, die, and His death was an acceptable sacrifice to God.

CORAM DEO

Jeremiah 36–37

Philemon

Read through this account again, and look up the corresponding account in the other gospels (Luke 23:44–49; Mark 15:33–41; Matt. 27:45–56). Meditate on the scene that has been recorded, especially by John who was an eyewitness. Think about the pain that Jesus endured. Thank Him today for His willing sacrifice.

For further study: Ex. 12:46 • Num. 9:12 • Ps. 34:20

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