31 “Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.”
All was accomplished by Christ on the cross, but not all was completed to fulfill the prophecies. The religious community needed to make a request.
Crucifixion by the cross was practiced by the Persians, Carthaginians, and the Romans. They let the birds eat the flesh of the dead criminals by leaving the bodies up on the crosses. In Palestine, the Jews were offended at that pagan custom since it went against their laws. Deut 21:22-23 “If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.”
Since nightfall officially brought in the Sabbath, it was especially important for them to fulfill the law. No work was done after the sun sets. Interesting how scrupulously they kept the law while calling for an innocent man’s death. They are more concerned with the religious practices than with God. They wanted to be holy while killing the Son of God. They wanted to honor the Lord in their actions while they shouted blasphemies and unleashed hatred at Jesus. Yet, it was this very suffering and death that brings the avenue for true holiness.
Breaking the legs of the executed was a way of speeding up the crucifixion. Since men could lift up their bodies from time to time to get their breath by pushing down on the nails in their feet, it gave relief but also prolong their death. When the soldier came and saw the two thieves still alive, they took the large mallet and shattered their legs with a blow making it impossible to breath. With the additional shock and pain to the system death was quickened, but when they saw that Jesus was already dead, they did not break his legs. Numbers 9:12 tells us not a bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken. Ps 34:40 says “not one of his bones were broken”. If Jesus had lived any longer, He would have been a victim of this practice.
It was at the 3 o’clock hour that all the requirements through the non-believers was completed. God used the Jewish practice and the insistence on their part to fulfill Scripture. Believers, non-believers, Jews, Gentiles, men, and women all fulfill the plans of God.
Application: How often in your life can you look back and see the hand of God in details that you didn’t think about at the time? How often has He used events to open doors or close doors that were clearly His guidance and purpose? We see these truths expressed in Romans 8:28 in play." 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." God also uses those who do not love Him to bring about His good and glory.
Prayer: Lord, as I ponder these truths of prophecy, I am amazed at how You orchestrate everything. Even the Jews and Roman authorities manifested the fulfillment of scriptural prophecy. These truths of scripture are what I need to read and meditate on to strengthen me by Your Grace to walk the path you wish me to walk. Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah.
***********************************
If you wish to get the fuller version of this daily devotion, send a request via email to pastordale@outlook.com
