Jesus Fulfilled God’s Promise Even in Death
[31] Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would 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] So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been 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 at once there came out blood and water. [35] He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. [36] For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (ESV)
The Romans were so brutal in their executions that they would leave the bodies of the criminals up for days. They would be dead after a few days at the most, but then the gruesome corpses would hang there for a long time to show off how powerful Rome was, how wicked this criminal was, etc. There were some events, such as an emperor’s visit or birthday, when the bodies would be taken down earlier than usual.
Jewish beliefs at the time of Christ’s death had great respect for a person’s body after they died. The body would be washed, treated with almost 100 pounds of spices and scents, and then wrapped in a clean cloth. The fact that Jesus’ body was also very intact, except for the wounds was also important.
The Passover lamb from over 1,000 years before Christ was required to not have any broken bones.
Exodus 12:46 – It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. (ESV)
When a Jewish person was considering Jesus’ death on the Passover, the fact that none of His bones were broken would remind them of the Passover Lamb.
The way Jesus died also fulfilled some Psalms:
Psalm 34:19–22 –
[19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
[20] He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
[21] Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
[22] The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. (ESV)
Jesus lives up to that promise for the righteous in many ways. Even 3 days later when He rose from the dead and showed that He had not been condemned fulfills that Psalm!
It was important to God to prove in every way possible that Jesus was sent by Him. Even in His death, Jesus pointed to the glory and truth of God the Father, as the Holy Spirit worked to point to the glory and truth of God the Son. From birth to death to life, Jesus worked to convince the world that He came to save us.
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