A bit of an odd night, Father, with us all over the place. Be with each of us, I pray and bring us all safely back together again. Amen.
John 19:31-37 (<<click here to read the passage)
We’ve all been in situations where those in charge (or even those who have placed themselves in charge) operate solely by their own agenda. Things are rolling along at a seemingly normal pace when suddenly everything comes to a screeching halt or takes an unexpected sharp left turn. Of course, they get what they want because they are in charge, and whoever may stumble or fall or be left behind or, for that matter, be left for dead, it makes no difference to them. All else is sacrificed for them and their agenda.
The Jewish leaders had gotten what they wanted. Jesus’ death was imminent, and they wanted everything brought to a quick conclusion. The two thieves hanging on either side of Jesus were inconsequential. Their deaths meant nothing to those watching them breathe their last ragged gasps for air. And Jesus? He was a good as dead and now any amount of lingering messed up their celebration. The Sabbath was at hand, and a special Sabbath it was, for it was the Passover Sabbath. They were free and clear with the meddling prophet from Nazareth out of the way. They were in charge and all else was sacrificed so they could return to their agenda.
But again, we must acknowledge Who was truly in charge – though the Jewish leaders and the Romans both thought they were. All of them were simply characters fulfilling their roles. For in truth, every single one of them was bringing God’s agenda to fruition. God’s plan would not be thwarted.
Little things once more proved that every detail was pointing to God’s will coming to be.
Jesus was the once and for all Passover Lamb. His sacrifice fulfilled the Law’s demand for a perfect, spotless lamb, even down to His bones not being broken.
The Jewish leaders…asked Pilate to hasten the deaths of those being crucified by ordering that their legs be broken. So that their bodies could be taken down. There was a celebration to attend to!
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. vs31-33 NLT
Jesus’ bones were not broken. The Old Testament Law found in both Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12 established that the Passover lamb’s bones were not to be broken. Psalm 34:20, one of King David’s writings foretold the same,
For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! NLT
And the Apostle John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, points out that as they gazed upon Jesus’ lifeless body that a portion of the Old Testament writings of the prophet Zechariah was also fulfilled.
“I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace (unmerited favor) and supplication. And they will look at Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him as one who weeps bitterly over a firstborn. Zechariah 12:10 AMP
Lord Jesus, why should we not place our utmost trust in You? With the whole world in Your hands, we are safe and secure. Only when our hands lay hold of things do they begin to go awry. Keep us close we pray. Amen.
Nov 7th, 2021, Sun, 6:07 pm
