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22 March 2008
Word on the Web
John 19 v 31-37
This day was Preparation Day, and the next day was a special Sabbath day. Since the religious leaders did not want the bodies to stay on the cross on the Sabbath day, they asked Pilate to order that the legs of the men be broken and the bodies be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man on the cross beside Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the man on the other cross beside Jesus. But when the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water came out. (The one who saw this happen is the one who told us this, and whatever he says is true. And he knows that he tells the truth, and he tells it so that you might believe.) These things happened to make the Scripture come true: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And another Scripture says, "They will look at the one they stabbed."
Our reading today centres upon the Roman soldiers. These men were trained to be hard and ruthless in their actions, they were the face of the Roman Empire. Here we see them on domestic duties carrying out orders at one of the cruelest forms of death that one human could inflict upon another.
Some people would have considered them a 'godless bunch' demonstrated by their language and course jokes. Yet here we see that God's plans are being worked out even through people who do not acknowledge Him in their own lives.
With the Sabbath soon upon them the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to order that the legs of those crucified be broken. Following instructions they broke the legs of the criminals on each side of Jesus. Seeing that Jesus was dead they did not break His legs but one soldier stuck a spear in His side. This was to fulfil the words of scripture 'Not one of his bones will be broken'.
The followers of Jesus by this time must have been both mentally and physically drained following the events of the past few days. Questions must have been endless in their thinking. 'Has the world gone mad?' 'What does all this mean?'
Like these earlier followers we so often cannot see any sense in some of the events that happen to us in our lives. In the coming years they would see that Jesus had fulfilled the verses in the Bible that spoke of His life and death. The same is true for those who are Christians for God never makes a mistake and it is often only on reflection we see His blueprint for our lives being worked out.
Yes God even today works through 'godless' people for He is sovereign in the events of the world.
Lord as I keep up to date with the events in our world I so often feel that no one is in control. Thank you that this part of the Easter story shows that you have the last word even with those who have no thought for you. Amen
Written by David Morgan
Word on the Web
John 19 v 31-37
This day was Preparation Day, and the next day was a special Sabbath day. Since the religious leaders did not want the bodies to stay on the cross on the Sabbath day, they asked Pilate to order that the legs of the men be broken and the bodies be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man on the cross beside Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the man on the other cross beside Jesus. But when the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water came out. (The one who saw this happen is the one who told us this, and whatever he says is true. And he knows that he tells the truth, and he tells it so that you might believe.) These things happened to make the Scripture come true: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And another Scripture says, "They will look at the one they stabbed."
Our reading today centres upon the Roman soldiers. These men were trained to be hard and ruthless in their actions, they were the face of the Roman Empire. Here we see them on domestic duties carrying out orders at one of the cruelest forms of death that one human could inflict upon another.
Some people would have considered them a 'godless bunch' demonstrated by their language and course jokes. Yet here we see that God's plans are being worked out even through people who do not acknowledge Him in their own lives.
With the Sabbath soon upon them the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to order that the legs of those crucified be broken. Following instructions they broke the legs of the criminals on each side of Jesus. Seeing that Jesus was dead they did not break His legs but one soldier stuck a spear in His side. This was to fulfil the words of scripture 'Not one of his bones will be broken'.
The followers of Jesus by this time must have been both mentally and physically drained following the events of the past few days. Questions must have been endless in their thinking. 'Has the world gone mad?' 'What does all this mean?'
Like these earlier followers we so often cannot see any sense in some of the events that happen to us in our lives. In the coming years they would see that Jesus had fulfilled the verses in the Bible that spoke of His life and death. The same is true for those who are Christians for God never makes a mistake and it is often only on reflection we see His blueprint for our lives being worked out.
Yes God even today works through 'godless' people for He is sovereign in the events of the world.
Lord as I keep up to date with the events in our world I so often feel that no one is in control. Thank you that this part of the Easter story shows that you have the last word even with those who have no thought for you. Amen
Written by David Morgan
