The Gospel of John 19:31 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.” (John 19:31 KJV).

As mentioned earlier, this day, which is a Friday, is the preparation for the Sabbath celebration of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, also called the “Passover Feast”. This is the remembrance of Israel’s rescue from Egypt, when the angel of death passed over the nation of Israel while the First-borns of Egypt were killed. (Exodus 12:12-14). That night in Egypt the blood of the slaughtered perfect lamb-symbolically pointing to Christ Jesus’ blood, were smeared on the door frames of the Israelites’ homes as a sign for the angel of death to spare them.

On the one hand, Roman practices of crucifixion leave the executed corpses to rot, as exhibits for people to witness, and send a strong message of humiliation and deterrence to potential criminals. This is to show severe consequences for crimes and defiance against Roman authority. Public display is part of the punishment. However, Jewish law prohibits leaving an executed body hanging on the tree overnight (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). So Pilate agreed to the religious Jews’ appeal to clear the site before the Sabbath “Passover Feast”. He had their legs broken to hasten their death, so they could be buried before the holy day. This urgency highlights the contrast between the Jewish leaders' concern for ritual purity and their role in crucifying an innocent man.

This is such a symbolic message for us to reflect on. These priests’ hypocrisy of concern for purity based on their warp religious doctrine, yet orchestrated the Lord’s crucifixion, brought us purification by the cleansing power of the Lord’s shed blood on the cross. He was the offering for our sins to save us who believe and rest in His grace, as Scriptures affirm with this promise: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

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