JUNE 9, 2019
THE CRUCIFIXION (PART II)
INTRODUCTION:
1. We have before noted that Jesus in His death was not like other humans, but was unique in that He was not passive, but He was active. He was in complete control. When He knew that all things were accomplished, i.e. all prophetic Scriptures pertaining to His death were fulfilled, “he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.” Our Lord consciously and deliberately saw to it that His death left no word of prophesy hanging.
2. Yet there remained some predictions that could only be fulfilled after He was dead. Here we speak not of Christ’s resurrection, which we have in the next chapter, but things that are seen in the passage now before us.
a) The piercing of His side, which appeared to be a random act, was actually foretold by the prophet Zechariah. (Verse 37; Zech. 12:10)
b) The circumstance that gave occasion to the piercing of His side was itself because of another prophetic detail given in Psalm 22:18. (Verse 36)
c) In the account of His burial (Verses 38-42) we find that Isaiah’s prophecy came to pass. (Isa. 53:9)
3. This passage in which we find the word of Zechariah fulfilled is recorded only by John. Let us consider –
I. THE PIERCING OF CHRIST’S SIDE. (VERSES 31-39)
A. IT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF ANOTHER OF THE JEW’S MANY SUPERSTITIONS. (VERSE 31) It was the preparation for the Sabbath, and because that Sabbath day fell in the Passover week it was a high Sabbath, and the Jews, in order to show respect for this holy day, would not let dead bodies remain on their crosses on the Sabbath day. They therefore “besought Pilate that their legs might be broken,” in order to hasten their death, so they could be removed and buried before six o’clock, which was the beginning of the Sabbath.
1. The blatant hypocrisy of these murderers is once again on display. They wished to esteem this a high Sabbath, as Passover Sabbaths were considered to be, and there needed to be more than ordinary preparation for it.
2. They thought it would be a reproach to that day if they were to leave dead bodies hanging on crosses. Dead bodies were not to be left at any time (Deut. 21:23); yet in this case, the Jews would have yielded to the Roman custom, had it not been an extraordinary day.
3. They petitioned Pilate that their deaths might be hastened, not by some merciful act, but by a most cruel method. To break the legs would cause suffocation to occur more swiftly, but what horrible pain it would add to an already cruel death. Since time was a factor, why not ask for permission to quickly end their lives with a sudden stoke of some kind? The only answer, it would seem, is that they took pleasure in seeing the suffering.
4. These Jews would have it thought that they had great regard for the Sabbath, and yet they had no regard for justice or righteousness. They had no qualm in sending an innocent and excellent Person to the cross, and yet fretted over having a dead body hang on a cross.
B. PILATE GAVE THE ORDER, AND THE TWO THIEVES WERE VICTIMS OF THE CRUEL MEASURE HAVING THEIR LEGS BROKEN. (VERSE 32)
1. The soldiers came, hardened against all pity, and broke the legs of the two men that were crucified on either side or our Lord. What hideous cries of agony must have come forth!
2. One of these thieves was a recent convert, and had received from Jesus the assurance that he would soon be with Him in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43) Yet he died in the same pain and misery that the other thief did.
a) Many go to heaven who die in bitterness of soul, but dying agonies do not in any way obstruct the living comforts that await the believer on the other side of death. As it turned out, Jesus had already gone on before him, and was waiting to receive him into paradise.
b) The penitent thief’s death, though painful, was the end of all pain for him. However, for the impenitent thief his dying agonies were only the beginning of his sorrow and suffering.
C. CHRIST’S LEGS WERE NOT BROKEN; HOWEVER, HIS SIDE WAS PIERCED. (VERSES 33, 34)
1. Jesus was already dead; therefore breaking His legs would have served no purpose. (Verse 33)
a) Jesus died in less time than persons crucified ordinarily did. Physiological and other reasons that have been offered to explain this notwithstanding, the true reason is that He laid down His life. When the moment came that He should die, He “cried with a loud voice…Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!” This does not describe one succumbing to death, but One dying victoriously.
b) The Jews were satisfied that He was dead; otherwise they would not have omitted this piece of cruelty if they had not been convinced He was beyond the reach of it.
c) Whatever devices are in the hearts of men, the counsel of the Lord shall stand. It was fully designed to break His legs, but God had spoken: “A bone of Him shall not be broken.” (Verses 36; Exo. 12:46) Notice how John applies that which was spoken of the Passover lamb to Christ, Who is the antitypical Lamb, the true Passover. (I Cor. 5:7)
2. Jesus being dead already, one of the soldiers thrust his spear into His side. (Verse 34)
a) The soldier’s reason for this action remains a mystery. It seems that there was no question that Jesus was dead.
(1) Was he simply making sure?
(2) Was he frustrated?
(3) Was it just a meaningless gesture?
b) There was an overriding Divine purpose.
(1) One thing it would do is give irrefutable proof that Christ was actually dead, getting out ahead of the ridiculous assertions to the contrary that would come along after the resurrection.
(2) Another thing that God intended in this was to give an illustration of the design of His death. That both blood and water should come out distinct and separate from the same wound. There was much of mystery in it, and the fact that it was so solemnly attested to by this apostle indicates something miraculous. (Verse 35) This same apostle refers to it as a very considerable thing. (I John 5:6, 8)
(3) The blood and water that flowed from Christ’s riven side are significant. They signify the two great benefits which all believers partake of through Christ – justification and sanctification.
(a) Blood for remission, water for regeneration.
(b) Blood for atonement, water for purification.
(4) Blood and water were used very much under the Law. Guilt contracted must be expiated by blood; stains contracted must be done away by the water of purification. These two must always go together – justification and sanctification.
(5) In Christ’s death on the cross we see the rock smitten (I Cor. 10:4); and we see the fountain opened. (Zech. 13:
1) Let us draw from the wells of salvation. (Isa. 12:3)
D. THE ATTESTATION TO THIS IS BY A MOST COMPETENT WITNESS; THE APOSTLE JOHN, HIMSELF. (VERSE 35)
1. He bore record of what he saw. (I John 1:1) His record is faithful and true. (See II Pet. 1:16)
2. He took great care in this particular instance to testify of what he saw so that we may be well assured to the truth of Christ’s death, and the benefits that flow from it to all who believe.
E. THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES IN ALL OF THIS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. (VERSE 36) The integrity of the Old Testament Scripture is preserved and the inspiration of the New Testament Scripture is confirmed. Here are two instances of this together –
1. The Scripture was fulfilled in the preserving of Christ’s legs from being broken. (Verse 36; Psa. 34:20)
a) As before noted, there is a type of this in the paschal lamb. (Exo. 12:46; Num. 9:12)
b) Christ is our Passover here being sacrificed for us. (I Cor. 5:7) He is the Lamb of God, and as the true Passover, His bones were kept unbroken.
2. The Scripture was fulfilled in the piercing of His side. (Verse 37; Zech. 12:10)
a) It is the God of the holy prophet who said, “They shall look upon ME whom they have pierced.” It is God the Son that is seen pierced, as “they shall mourn for HIM.”
b) It was there in Zech. 12:10 implied that Messiah would be pierced, and that the accomplishment of it would be more full than the piercing of His hands and feet, which was also foretold. (Psa. 22:16)
c) He was pierced by the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, wounded in the house of His friends. (Zech. 13:6)
d) It is promised that when the Spirit is poured out, they shall look upon Him and mourn. (Zech. 12:10a) This was fulfilled in part when the Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and many of those who had been His betrayers and murderers were “pricked in their hearts.” But it is yet being fulfilled whenever a penitent sinner owns his guilt in the death of Christ, and cries out for mercy.
(1) It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross, and it was our hands that thrust the spear into His side.
(2) Yet it is from those wounds that the fountain that is open for sin and for uncleanness to the house of David is supplied. (Zech. 13:1)
II. THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. (VERSES 38-42) This second heading will be the subject of our next lesson.
Speak Your Mind