John 19:28-37 NKJV 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
Dear friends, I’m sitting here at the computer…ready to type…but I don’t know where to start…but yet I do.
Yes, we could go through and mark the Messianic verses of foreshadowing and prophecy that were all fulfilled, and there significance to us all…but I feel God nudging me to share what’s on my heart…something I’ve shared with very few.
You see, some years ago, about the same time as the movie “The Passion of the Christ” came out, I saw the account of Jesus death…his crucifixion…with a new set of eyes. It was so real to me, that my heart just ached
…to the point of tears. The notion that this wonderful, loving, courageous Man…the Son of God…had suffered and agonized so much…and died for me…pierced my heart. Just the thought of the agony and pain He endured…because of my sins…was almost too much to bear…because this was no ordinary man…He is the Son of God!
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
It really rocks my world that Jesus patiently…obediently…endured all the atrocities and indignities heaped upon Him…even unto death, to fulfill His mission, to fulfill the will of the Father…the redemption of all mankind…that those who trust in Him, the New Covenant poured out in His precious blood…would have everlasting life! And His death was not like that of just any mortal man…Jesus did not just expire…His death was truly a Holy Sacrificial act of mercy and grace..of love…by His choosing…“And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
Even today, if I’m honest…when I read these verses…my eyes tend to well up…I even shy away from them at times, fearful of the pain, but then I remember His words, His proclamation to the world and to all the Heavenly realms…“It is finished!”…all is brought to completion…The victory over sin and death has been won!..for me…for you.
If only I could awake each and every day, and live my life with the depth of conviction afforded me that day by my Jesus, oh what a day it would be! May we all be so Blessed!
jim