September 5
________________________________________
SCRIPTURES FULFILLED
31 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. 32 So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they 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 also may believe. 36 For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.” – John 19:31-37
________________________________________
In this gospel account of John, we witness the fulfillment of two Scripture verses, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken” and also “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” What is the significance of these verses in relation to God’s plan of salvation?
Exodus 12:46 says that “It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it.”- This verse was a part of the instruction regarding the Passover lamb. This was the way the Lord set apart the Jews from the rest so that they can be saved and delivered from the enemies. The lamb was the sacrificial offering that will make the angels of the Lord recognize that they are the chosen people. John 1:29 gives us the testimony of John the Baptist regarding Jesus. When he saw Jesus coming to Him he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! The Old testament scripture refers to the lamb sacrificed to distinguish the chosen people, in the New testament, the word of God points to Jesus, who is the lamb of God who was sent to us to atone for our sins. In Psalm 34:20 David’s declaration of one of God’s promises is that He keeps all his righteous people’s bones intact. Not one of them is broken. Zechariah 12:10 says “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on 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 like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. Scripture fulfilled in Jesus’ death so that all may believe in God.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How do these Scriptures fulfillment affect a believer’s life?