Daily Devotional Friday 10th April 2020

by William Moody

John 19:31–37

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

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.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

(ESV)

Once more the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders is evident as although they have had the Son of God put to death, they don’t want to break the Sabbath by having a dead body hang on a cross as the Sabbath comes at dusk on the Friday (v31).

The breaking of legs caused death to come quickly, as the crucified person no longer could push up on the footboard to breathe. The two thieves had their legs broken (v32) but this did not happen for Jesus as He was already dead (v33). Jesus died quite quickly not because He was a weak man but because unlike anyone else He could give up His spirit (v30). Jesus’ life was not taken from Him but rather it was willingly given up to save sinners.

The piercing of the side and the coming out of blood and water proves that Jesus was definitely dead (v35). There was no way Jesus just fainted; these trained killers knew how to make sure someone was really dead.

The fact that Jesus’ bones were not broken but that His side was pierced again fulfils scriptural prophecies (v36-37) in Exodus 12 v46 and Zechariah 12 v10. All was happening according to God’s perfect plan so as to save sinners.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.