Making Our Way to Calvary - Pt 9

 

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. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 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. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” (John 19:31–37 ESV).

 

The Reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, viewed our reading today as a profound confirmation of Christ’s dual nature and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. They focused on the "blood and water" as symbols of the two central sacraments and the "unbroken bones" as proof of Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb. Calvin’s commentary focuses on the sovereignty of God and the meticulous fulfillment of prophecy. Calvin argued that the Roman soldiers’ decision not to break Jesus' legs was not an accident but a "divine restraint." He saw this as the literal fulfillment of the Law regarding the Passover Lamb (cf. Exodus 12:46), proving Jesus was the true sacrifice that ends all others. Further he wrote the soldier's spear was a "witness" to the world. He noted that even the enemies of Christ were used by God to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10 ("They will look on him whom they have pierced"). He interpreted the water and blood as a "double cure"—one to justify (blood) and one to sanctify (water) the believer.

 

Until that day, though, we continue to look upon Jesus on the cross, not just for our salvation as the Passover lamb, and not just for our continual forgiveness as our cleansing fountain, but also for our perseverance. So until that day, let us remember Jesus’ death on the cross, proclaiming him as our Passover Lamb and inviting all to cleanse in the fountain of forgiveness whenever we gather as a church. Until that day, let us meditate on Jesus’ death as we sit down together at the Lord’s Table, remembering his human body (bread) broken for us and his blood (wine) spilled for us for the forgiveness of sin. Until that day, let us sing of Jesus’ sacrifice, as so many have done before us and as we will all do for all eternity. Until that day, let us sing “Rock of Ages” by Augustus Toplady:

 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.