John 19:31-42 A righteous man falls seven times, and rises again

Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), 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 man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they 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. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not A bone of Him shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:31-42

Background

This episode describes what immediately transpired after Jesus died. The fact that Jesus’ bones were not broken attested to the sovereign control of God so that the scripture may be fulfilled. Jesus’ bones remained intact pointed to the resurrection that would ensue. God may expose His sons to death, but they will surely rise again.

Observation

1.  But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. When one of the soldiers pierced His side, blood and water came out. This proved beyond doubt that Jesus was already dead. The fact that blood and water came out is so important that the author wrote, “And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true…” Why is it important to prove that Jesus was dead? Bearing in mind that Jesus was crucified not for a crime that He committed but for His confession as being a Son of God. Hence, His death proved the following:

a.  Jesus values the truth (the confession) above His own life. Jesus’ confession as God’s Son is key for His sacrifice to be effectual. Even if it is possible for Him to escape death, He did not recant His confession. His refusal to recant even unto death attest to the importance of holding fast to our confession as sons. Because Jesus held onto His confession, the world is saved through Him.

b.  Jesus values the virtues of love and mercy above His own life. Jesus obeyed the Father and suffered to the very end without harbouring hatred towards the wicked. And that made His sacrifice acceptable to God.

c.  The redemption of man that required the full extent of His suffering was paid in full. One of Jesus’ struggles was the injustice involved in handing Himself over to the Jews. It is one thing to give Himself over to good and just men but quite another to surrender Himself to the wicked.

d.  Jesus’ love for humanity is demonstrated to the fullest extent in that He holds out until the very end.

2.  They did not break His legs. The soldiers break the legs of the person crucified in order to hasten death. This prevents the person from pushing with his legs so that he can breath. The strength of his arms will eventually fail and asphyxiation sets in. As Jesus was already dead, there was no necessity for His legs to be broken. John wrote: For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not A bone of Him shall be broken.” (see Exodus 12:46, Psalms 34:20). This is to show that God was in total control and did not allow Jesus to be crushed. Jesus’ crucifixion was not due to the weakness of God, but the power of God for salvation through His resurrection. The power of God was demonstrated in the preservation of Jesus’ bones. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet Ezekiel was instructed by God to prophesy to the dry bones and cause them to resurrect. As Ezekiel prophesied to the bones, they stood on their feet and became a great army signifying the resurrection of God’s children, which is the body of Christ. Jesus’ bones that were unbroken looked forward to His eventual resurrection.

Truth

1.  Holding fast to our confession as God’s sons is determinative to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus held fast to His confession as being the Son of God so that God’s kingdom may be established. In every situation, we must hold fast to our confession as being God’s sons through which we install God’s values system where we are. The devil tries to get us to deny God as our Father so that he could take away the territorial rights of the God’s children. The devil attacks us to make us think that God has forsaken us and we should be ashamed of the gospel. As we continually confess our identity as sons, the resurrection power of Christ continues to manifest in us resulting in our eventual victory. By confessing God as our Father,

a.  we holdfast to kingdom’s values and build a community with enduring peace and prosperity.

b.  we remain fearless and confident in the face of difficulties. As sons, we are entrusted with authority and the angels that destroy the powers of darkness.

c.  we affirm our inheritance that is set apart for us. And the Spirit gives us assurance that God has predestined us towards eternal glory.

2.  God preserves his children in the midst of difficulties so that they may have victory. God’s protection over Christ never fails as evident by His unbroken bones. Likewise, for all of God’s children, their bones remain intact in the face of tremendous difficulties. A child of God may experience multiple failures, but he will rise again because His bones remain intact. And he will rise again and again until he succeeds. Proverbs 24:16 says, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again. But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.” God will not expose us to trials that we cannot handle. God’s purpose for his children is to expose us to difficulties and failures so that we could be refined and purified as Christ. The resulting glory is what that shines forth from the work of intense heat of failures, of disappointments, of rejection and perseverance.

Application

1.  Try confessing the following as often as you can, “I am the son of God, and the Spirit is with me to overcome all hindrances through love and power.” You will feel much better, more peaceful and confident throughout the day.

2.  Identify in your current circumstances the part of your character that God is trying to refine in you. By doing that, you may become more intentional in working with God. Many went through trials in vain without knowing what God is doing in their lives.

Dear Lord, I rejoice because my future and aspirations are held in Your hands. As I endeavor to walk with You, I know that I will reach the place of my calling and fulfill it. Use me and fill me with Your power and wisdom. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.