David Bahn – Reflections

John 19:32-37

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ But 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.” ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

I was once interviewed by an FBI agent about a nominee to a position in the Veteran’s Administration. The agent was thorough almost to a fault. He left no stone unturned. He ran down every rabbit trail. I would answer in generalities and he would probe for specifics. I have also had the not-so-great joy of a pre-deposition grilling of a very skilled attorney. He was looking for evidence potentially harmful to his client. Based on that experience I am very thankful I did not have to face the opposing party’s attorney in a deposition (the case was settled out of court, and I was not party to the suit).

In the case of John’s testimony about Jesus’ death, however, a plaintive has nothing to gain or lose by disproving the testimony that John offers. John says that he is offering this testimony is so that we may believe. He aligns the events of Jesus’ suffering and death with the testimony of Scripture. These events show Jesus’ innocence and faithfulness, as well as how he is the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and prophecies written 1000 years before Jesus’ death.

The testimony is clear. Jesus is innocent. Jesus suffered greatly. Jesus looked to God alone. Jesus died. Scripture pointed to all these things. The point of all this: Jesus is a worthy object of our faith. We believe in him who was not only innocent, but righteous and faithful. We entrust ourselves to someone who died because of his love for us. By his death we are forgiven. By his resurrection from the grave we are saved. The evidence is before us, and it is not offered to prove a political point, nor to settle a lawsuit.

Perhaps you have an inquiring mind and wish to delve more deeply into the evidence John offers. If that is the case, have at it. Search the Scriptures. Seek out the testimony of the others who recount these events. Remember, all the while, that the evidence that is offered is purposeful: that you might believe and that by believing you might have life in Jesus’ name.

John 19:28-41

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” ²⁹ A 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. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ Since 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. ³² So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ But 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.” ³⁷ And 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. ⁴⁰ So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹ Now 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. ⁴² So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.