32. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
It has always amazed me that racial prejudice raises up its angry head causing people to hate one another. Many a Jew in our recent history has been not only the discriminated race in Nazi Germany, but in our own country. We see a new rise in antisemitism with the Israeli-Gaza war.
Pick a country, a group of people, a nationality, a language group and pretty soon one group begins to rise up and show prejudice against another. This seems to be a successful plan of Satan.
There were not many times when Jews and Gentiles cooperated. They hated one another. There were not many times the Romans would cooperate with the sub-servant class of people, but the soldiers joined the taunting and the ridicule of Jesus.
Sin separates. Christ unites. Sin caused people within the same race and same family to divide - Cain killed Abel. Sin motivated the people together to build a tower unto God at Babel. From there the language confusion brought together those who could understand one another; but sin allowed those divisions to be causes for wars, jealousies, and prejudice.
When people have a common enemy, they unite. When people gathered at Golgotha, it united Jews and Gentiles to hurl insults, mock, and abuse Jesus. The Bible makes it clear that all of us who sin are part of the crucifixion of Jesus. All races are included at Calvary.
In Luke’s gospel he talks of a Jewish prisoner recognizing his sin and asking forgiveness from the cross. Jesus grants him salvation, “Today you shall be with me in paradise”. A soldier from a different race and culture looked upon the pierced Christ and came to a new revelation, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Did he also accept by faith Jesus Christ? The details are not clear, but are recorded for a reason. Not only was the suffering of Jesus a combined effort from those representing different races, but the salvation of Jesus was for the Jew and also the Gentile.
Faith in Christ unites people of different races, genders, and nationalities. We are people who lay aside our differences and repent of our sin. We realize we had a part, because of our hearts, in the death of Christ. We are given the wonderful opportunity to receive forgiveness and become part of a group of new brothers and sisters who speak different languages, have different customs and dress, and have different skin colors. We are people who unite with different spiritual gifts and abilities for one cause - to serve Jesus Christ and advance His Kingdom.
There were different tongues at the crucifixion of Christ. There will be different tongues expressing His glory when He returns. Going to the uttermost parts of world will bring hatred. Satan is not quite done yet, but missionaries’ activities will bring salvation to the people God loves.
Application: Today praise God for the differences you see in His children.
Prayer: Father, work in me to be one that unites believers. Let me see them through Your eyes.
