No Broken Bones
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
Self-Entitlement
Father, there is just so much needless tragedy in our world today. I’m sure Your heart is grieved as well. Bring peace to those who have suffered loss and wisdom to those who need it, too. Amen.
John 19:28-30 (<<click here to read the passage)
One thing that continues to disturb me over the last couple of years, is the overtaking attitude of self-entitlement. A definition I found online reads,
Self-entitlement is when an individual perceives themselves as deserving of unearned privileges. These are the people who believe life owes them something; a reward, a measure of success, a particular standard of living.
That mentality in our society is crippling and what is even more heartbreaking is that it has soundly infiltrated the church, too.
First off, self is the lead-in word of the phrase. If there is any word that stands squarely against the standards that Jesus taught and fleshed out each day that He walked among us, it is the concept of self.
Now there are phrases where the word self factors in in an excellent way with Jesus’ standards…but these phrases are not easy to live up to.
Self-denial and self-sacrifice.
Not too many volunteers to pursue those are there.
Jesus said,
“If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Matthew 16:24 AMP
The Apostle Peter struggled at first, but he eventually learned what it meant to truly follow Jesus. He said in 1 Peter 2:11,
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
This world constantly shouts, “I want what’s mine! I’ve got to look out for myself, nobody else is going to! I’m sick of everyone else getting the good stuff, it’s my turn to get what’s coming to me! Nobody can make me do whatever I don’t want to do!”
If anyone was “entitled” it was Jesus. He made everything from nothing. Nothing, absolutely nothing, would be at all, if not for Him. Yet he claimed not one thing, but willingly gave up his very life.
The Amplified Bible states the last portion of verse 30 this way,
He [Jesus] said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and [voluntarily] gave up His spirit.
The study notes in the Amplified Bible then goes on to say,
This wording implies that Jesus voluntarily and sovereignly released His spirit from His body in submission to God’s plan.
Jesus claimed no rights. He demanded nothing. He gave everything. My study Bible says that the word finished is the same as “paid in full.”
We don’t deserve everything we want, what we deserve is paying the penalty for our sin. But the very last words of Jesus from the cross?
“It is finished!” …it is paid in full!
Jesus set before us the example of self-denial and self-sacrifice. How are we living our lives?
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Nov 4th, 2021, Thurs, 8:04 pm
One More Point of Proof!
A day of great variety, Father! Thank You for the opportunity to encourage a fellow believer in difficulty. I would pray that his faith would be strengthened as he carries on.
John 19:16-27 (<<click here to read the passage)
As I read through today’s passage, John referenced an Old Testament passage of Scripture that was fulfilled during Jesus’ crucifixion. In this text, the division of Jesus’ garments by the Roman soldiers was prophesied in one of King David’s psalms.
I wanted to read the alluded to verse in context, so I opened the entire chapter of Psalm 22. It shouldn’t be surprising that that single verse wasn’t the only point of prophecy to come to fruition in Christ’s suffering. There were several in this chapter alone!
Here are several verses from that psalm. Some references are very obvious and for clarity, I have tagged some with their corresponding New Testament passages. (If you click on the bolded New Testament text it will open the passage.) But before you read it, I want to point out that David lived 1000 years before Jesus. I find it amazing!
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Matthew 27:46)
….Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
….Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
……..
6 But I am a worm and not a man.
….I am scorned and despised by all!
7 Everyone who sees me mocks me.
….They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
….Then let the Lord save him!
….If the Lord loves him so much,
….let the Lord rescue him!” (Matthew 27:41-44)
9 Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
….and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
10 I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
….You have been my God from the moment I was born.
11 Do not stay so far from me,
….for trouble is near,
….and no one else can help me.
……..
14 My life is poured out like water,
….and all my bones are out of joint.
….My heart is like wax,
….melting within me.
15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
….My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. (John 19:28)
….You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
….an evil gang closes in on me.
….They have pierced my hands and feet.
17 I can count all my bones.
….My enemies stare at me and gloat.
18 They divide my garments among themselves
….and throw dice for my clothing. (John 19:23-24) NLT
Lord Jesus, before the world even came into being You had already set into place how You would redeem us. You knew we would rebel, but You loved us so and made plans to reconcile us to Yourself. Throughout the Old Testament, You planted Your word in Your prophets as one more point of proof that You and You alone are God! All praise to You!
Nov 3rd, 2021, Wed, 7:43 pm
Who’s in Charge Here?
Father, as I come before You, I do so humbly. I deserve none of the grace extended and lavished up me, but You continue to do so. You are truly an awesome and mighty God. All praise to You!
John 19:4-16 (<<click here to read the passage)
I cannot think of particulars, but I know in my time at Kohl’s there were times when a customer would blow up about something they thought they were entitled to – ranting and raving the entire time! After they had exhausted every avenue of argument most times, they would demand to see a manager – the top dog would certainly cave to their demands!
If you happened to be in proximity, it was always quite humorous (at least from a store associate’s perspective) when the person that had been chewing up and spitting out was the manager on duty!
Of course, there were always threats of calling our corporate headquarters and whatnot but rarely was that ever the case.
In this passage there is certainly a lot of ranting and raving, yelling and screaming, combined with a lot of threats, as well. But as we read through these verses, it is very obvious Who was in charge…and it was neither the Jewish leadership nor Pilate.
Pilate wanted to wash his hands of the whole thing (literally!), but the Jewish leaders wouldn’t have it and shot back with every counterattack that came to mind. Not surprisingly, they were the ones ranting the loudest, but they also had absolutely zero power when it came to calling for the death of their opposition, which is where Pilate fits it to it all.
In the end, Pilate caved when the Jewish leaders threatened to call “corporate headquarters” – Rome. And ultimately, they got what they had been clamoring for – Jesus’ death.
Through it all…Jesus remained composed. He knew the truth, he knew God’s plan, and he knew the reason for his trial. Despite the pressure and persecution, Jesus remained unmoved. It was really Pilate and the religious leaders who were on trial, not Jesus.*
The world around us may all be in a tither but as followers of Christ, we know with Whom we stand. And regardless of who thinks they hold the power; God alone is Sovereign. Throughout the ages, believers have stood firm in their faith. In the past and even today, many have yielded their very lives, and yes that is tragic, but ultimately, they were the victors. For as the Apostle Paul stated,
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. Philippians 1:21 NLT
Lord Jesus, may we abide in You regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Help us to attain that end for only then will we be victorious!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Nov 2nd, 2021, Tues, 5:14 pm
Slapping God!
Father, though it may be on the cool side, we are blessed with a beautiful, sunshiny day! All praise to our awesome Creator God!
John 19:1-3 (<<click here to read the passage)
I hadn’t gotten very far in my reading today when a particular phrase caught my attention. Pilate handed Jesus over to Roman soldiers to do with as they wanted before His crucifixion – unjust though it was! They forced a crown of thorns upon His head, dressed Him in a purple robe, and mockingly proclaimed,
“Hail King of the Jews!”, as they slapped him across the face. v3
The night before these events, after Jesus verbally stood up to the High Priest’s questioning, this took place.
Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded. John 18:22 NLT (Emphasis mine.)
Slapped…across the face…
Both times I’ve read that action, it has taken my breath away! They literally slapped GOD in the face! Their Creator! The Being whose power so towered over any of those present that with a mere thought, no words necessary, any number of things could have happened to them – the least of which is that they could have ceased to exist! How audacious! It is shocking in its reality!
The Temple guard may have had an inkling as to who he struck. The Roman soldier probably had no idea whatsoever. Regardless, they were both guilty as all get out!
But neither Jesus nor His Heavenly Father retaliated. It was all part of the plan, no matter how humiliating it was… no matter how outrageous their actions were.
It is easy for us to be appalled by their actions. We can feel justified in pointing our finger at them, highlighting their cruel and over-the-top disregard for Jesus’ standing. But we must never forget that we – every single one of us! – are no less guilty than the guard and the soldier.
Every time we have defied God and done as we well pleased instead, we have, in essence, raised our own hand and slapped Him across the face! “I know better. You know nothing! How dare You tell Me what to do!”
Maybe those particular words don’t come out…but the attitude and mentality do…don’t they?
Lord Jesus, may we not judge the actions of others who have disobeyed and disregarded You and Your commands. May we humbly admit our sin and give ourselves over to Your rule over our lives. Forgive us our trespasses and sins. Amen.
Nov 1st, 2021, Mon, 12:29 pm