The Gospel of John: John 19.1-42

Read and meditate on John 19.31-37.
The glory of God can be seen in His sovereign management of Jesus’ death. Nothing would be done that was contrary to what was prophesied, and everything the Scriptures taught would be fulfilled.

                                        ³¹Since, therefore, it was
the Preparation, and upon a cross
no bodies should remain (that Sabbath being
a high and holy day), the Jews came seeing
if Pilate would not break their legs, that they
might die, and then be taken all away.
³²They broke the legs of those on either side
of Jesus, those who had been crucified
with Him, but when they came to Jesus, He
was dead already, so they let Him be.
³⁴One soldier took a spear and pierced His side,
and blood and water flowed. ³⁵He testified
of this who saw it, and his word is true,
and he is telling you the truth, that you
might come to faith in Him. ³⁶For this was done
that Scripture should be proved, which says, “Not one
of any of His bones should broken be.”
³⁷Another says, “And they shall look and see
Him they have pierced.”

- John 19.31-37

Reflect
1.  According to the Law, no one hanged on a tree should be left there for the Sabbath (Deut. 21.22, 23). Jesus had said that Moses wrote about Him (Jn. 5.46) and that all Scripture was about Him (Jn. 5.39). How could the religious leaders be so scrupulous about the details of the Law, and miss its main point completely? Do we sometimes do the same? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the focal point and theme of all Scripture, so that as I read it, I…

2.  Meditate on Psalm 34.19-32. John applied this psalm to Jesus. In what way? Does John’s understanding of this psalm provide guidance for us in how we should read the Bible? Explain. All Scripture is inspired by You, Lord Jesus, and about You, so that…

3.  Meditate on Psalm 22.16, 17 and Zechariah 12.10. Zechariah associated this situation with the grace of God. Explain. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that in Your death, the grace of the Father…

4.  John jumps in editorially in verse 35. Why did he do this? What did he not want us to miss? What does this suggest about the place of these events in our presentation of the Gospel? Lord, when I share the Gospel, help me to remember…

5. Again, John stresses the reliability of Scripture. Scripture must be fulfilled. It cannot fail, not in a single detail or teaching. How should John’s comment affect our attitude toward the Bible? How can we grow in confidence in Scripture? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Yet the soldiers, in order to gratify the Jews, pierced his side with a spear and now insulted the dead body. O abominable and accursed purpose! Yet, beloved, do not be confused or despondent. What these men did from a wicked will fought on the side of the truth, since there was a prophecy that spoke concerning this very circumstance: ‘They shall look on him whom they pierced.’ And not only this, but this deed would become evidence to confirm the faith of those who should afterward disbelieve, as it was for Thomas and those like him. With this too an ineffable mystery was accomplished. For ‘there came forth water and blood.’ Not without purpose or by chance did those fountains spring forth. Rather, it is because the church consists of these two together. And those who have been initiated know this, being regenerated indeed by water and nourished by the blood and the flesh.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

In His death, Jesus glorified God and completed the work He’d come to do. How can you see the glory of God in the awful, tragic details of Jesus’ death?  

Closing Prayer
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.

Psalm 33.13-21

Psalm 33.18-22 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
God watches those who fear His Name, who hope upon His grace and love;
He keeps their souls from death and shame who trust in Him Who reigns above.

God is our Helper and our Shield; upon us let Your grace descend!
We hope in You; to You we yield; we trust in Jesus to the end.

T. M. Moore

What does it mean to know Jesus? Order a copy of our book, To Know Him, and share it with a friend who does not know the Lord (click here). Need help learning to pray the psalms? Order the book, God’s Prayer Program, and discover why and how to realize the power of the psalms to transform your prayer life (click here).

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.