Friday, February 26, 2010
Psalm 22:17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.
JESUS WOULD REMAIN UNBROKEN FOR US
The adult human body has 206 bones. Some are knit solidly together; others are loosely connected. These bones are the subject of prophecy concerning our Savior's suffering for us. While scholars have debated exactly how this prophecy was fulfilled in and through our Savior, it would seem that we can say one thing for sure. The bones of our Savior would remain unbroken just as the Spirit inspired words foretold and revealed. "He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken" (Psalm 34:20).
Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should 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. "Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs ... For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, 'Not one of His bones shall be broken'" (John 19:31-36).
This seems like a rather insignificant and maybe even odd prophecy to consider. Why would it be a big deal as to whether Jesus had a broken bone or not? After all, He was just going to be sacrificed. When a farmer chooses the cow to make into hamburger, does it bother him if it had a broken leg or not? He usually picks the maimed for that purpose.
When we rationalize this way, we tend to forget that God is different from us. We live in sin every day, and so we become used to it and accept it. But not God. Remember that the lamb chosen for the Passover was to be spotless and without any broken bones. A sacrifice to the Lord was to be the best, not something that one was going to get rid of anyway. And so, our Savior was the ultimate picture and fulfillment of that perfect and holy Lamb of God who would once, for all, take away the sins of the world!
Because even this seemingly minor prophecy was fulfilled in and through our Savior, we can take comfort. Jesus made the perfect offering, without one bone broken. Because of this, we know the payment is complete and we are saved.
Our Savior's bones remained unbroken for us!
