David Bahn – Reflections

John 19:28-31, 38-39 (see 19:28-42 below)

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” ²⁹A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. ³⁰When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. ³¹Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would 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.

³⁸ After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. ³⁹ Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.

Three kinds of righteousness are on display in the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. The first kind of righteousness is that of Jesus who offers himself as the sacrifice for our sins and the fulfillment of scripture. This is the most vitally important righteousness of all. For it attains before God. Faith which entrusts itself to God no matter what is a perfect faith.

There are two other kinds of righteousness here as well. One is the righteousness of outward obedience and conformity. Misguided and shortsighted, this is the righteousness of the kingdoms of this world. The Jews are concerned for this. They don’t want the bodies of the criminals on the cross on the Sabbath; never mind they had put Jesus there in the ultimate act of unrighteousness; a sad commentary on outward religious piety.

The third righteousness is that of Joseph and Nicodemus who do the right thing by Jesus, taking his body and providing a respectful place of rest for him. Through faith they see the righteousness of Jesus and will live under his kingship – even though he has died. Theirs is a righteousness of faith as well, for only faith would honor a dead king. Only faith would entrust itself to honoring true righteousness when worldly evidence directs us elsewhere. When we honor the faithful righteousness of Christ we are embracing the best righteousness of all.

John 19:28-42

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” ²⁹A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. ³⁰When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. ³¹Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would 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. ³²So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. ³⁵ He who saw it has borne witness— his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth— that you also may believe. ³⁶ For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” ³⁷And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

³⁸ After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. ³⁹ Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. ⁴⁰So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴²So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there