Psalm 34:20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.(NIV)

It was said of Jesus that when he was crucified no bone was broken. Have you ever wondered why that was a prophecy that it was important no bone was broken – certainly to fulfill the Passover Lamb where that instruction was given, but why not in both incidents?

Matthew Henry writes: “There was a significancy in it; the strength of the body is in the bones.” The Hebrew word for the bones signifies the strength, and therefore not a bone of Christ must be broken, to show that though he be crucified in weakness his strength to save is not at all broken. Sin breaks our bones, as it figuratively broke David's (Psalm 51:8); but it did not break Christ's bones; he stood firm under the burden, mighty to save.

In another prophecy that points to the cross we read Psalms. Psalm 42:9-11  9 I will say to God my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" 10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 11 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,”

Another remarkable study is how many things are broken that God uses. In our sufferings God does work in us who are willing to walk by faith. We need to be broken in order for God to use us as He wants. He desires our broken will, our broken pride.

Moses broke the law tablet, but the people broke it before Moses came down from the Mountain. Sometimes it is our own actions that cause broken bones, fights, putting fists through walls, effects of alcoholism, accidents due to drugs, or speeding, etc.

There are broken things, broken promises, broken hopes, broken dreams.

The ground needs to be broken up for the seed to grow. Our lives need to be broken before God for us to repent and let Him do the work of salvation and restoration. God makes something out of it. Romans 8:28 reminds us 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Suffering was used in Job’s life to silence Satan. It is used in the lives of persecuted saints to glorify God. Joni Eareckson Tada from broken wing ministries shows the power and grace of God in lives that are handicapped. They are more thankful for things in life that are most important.

God uses suffering to help us grow in patience, in dependency on Him in addressing prideful issues and self-dependency issues. We can fall in our brokenness to God to see us through our times of trials and in our testing. Or we can turn our backs on him and experience the consequences of not only broken bones, but broken fellowship. 

We are reminded of Jesus word at the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Our Lord said, “This is my body which is broken for you, as often as you eat it, do so in remembrance of me.”

Application: How has brokenness helped you in your faith journey? Use that testimony to help others.

Prayer: Oh God, guide us in using our experiences to help others going through suffering, giving them hope, strength, and trust in YOU!

Dale