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John 19:31-37
Jesus' Side Is Pierced 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. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 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. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” |
That you also may believe
The Roman soldier, first conclusively confirming the death of Jesus on the cross, goes on to fulfil Old Testament prophecy concerning the manner of Jesus’ death. As a soldier he would have been quite familiar with death, and particularly this horrifying method of execution. There is clearly no doubt in his mind that Jesus was indeed dead. This puts paid to any suggestion that Jesus somehow survived His ordeal and was not in fact resurrected.
Moreover, the prophetic words of Psalm 34:20 turn the seemingly random act of the soldier - to disobey an order by not breaking Jesus’ legs - into further confirmation that this Jesus was indeed the Messiah foretold through the scriptures.
The spilling of blood and water, elements of the Old Covenant sacrificial system, reminds us of the purpose of His death as an atoning sacrifice. A propitiation for our sins greater than any animal sacrifice could ever have achieved.
As John states, the purpose of this testimony is that we may believe that Jesus was the Messiah. That He did indeed die on that cross, that the resurrection was real, and that His death was the sacrifice necessary to cleanse us from our sin.
Ken K