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Jul 17, 2024 06:00am

Believe

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“Objection your honor. Is Mr. Matlock going anywhere with this?”

“But your honor, I’m getting to that. These details are important for my case!”

You can hear Andy saying that, can’t you? Sometimes he tries the patience of the judge and the prosecutor, but there’s always a reason for the way he tells the story.

The details matter.

He’s weaving them together piece by piece, because these details, when fit together, prove the truth. And when he finally finishes, the facts are all laid out for the jury and the judge and there is no denying the truth.

John 19:31-37
“The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”

Why would John go into great detail about what time or day it was? Why would he talk about them breaking their legs? Why would he emphasize that it was a Roman soldier who pronounced Jesus dead? Why mention that blood and water poured from His side when it was pierced?

The details matter.

Let’s start with the day and time.

In Deuteronomy, God’s law is given, declaring that any man who is crucified should not be left to hang on the tree all night. He should be buried that day. And then there is the mention of the Sabbath. This began at sundown on Friday. It was also against God’s law to work on the Sabbath. And one final addition – this was not just any Sabbath, but the beginning of the Passover. So, of course the religious leaders had to keep the law. Outwardly, at least…

Next, let’s talk about the request for their legs to be broken. The Jewish leaders went to Pilate to command that this would be done. If you study the horrific, gruesome details of a crucifixion, you would find that death mainly came from suffocation. With their hands and feet nailed to the cross, they could use what little strength they had to push up with their legs to keep from suffocating. But, when their legs were broken, they would suffocate immediately. The Jewish leaders wanted this all wrapped up quickly so they could still abide by the law so they demanded their legs be broken to hurry up their death and get them taken down and buried.

Now to the soldiers.

The soldiers could plainly see the two men next to Jesus were still alive, so they did as they were commanded and broke their legs. But, when they came to Jesus, the Roman soldier declared he was already dead and there was no need to break his legs. This Roman soldier was not part of the scheme of the Jews to be rid of Jesus. He was simply following orders from Pilate. If he disobeyed, he would have been executed. This man had no reason to lie. He had all the more reason to tell the truth. He was an eye witness to Jesus being dead.

Why is that such a big deal? Some religions teach that Jesus was simply asleep, our passed out, that He didn’t really die. But, why would this soldier lie?

And then to prove Jesus was dead, they pierced His side. Blood and water poured out. Again, a detail John knew was important to include. The fact that the blood and water had separated was further indication that His heart had already stopped, He was most certainly dead.

John includes the references from the Old Testament that prophesied the Messiah’s bones would not be broken and His side would be pierced. Yet again, Jesus fulfilled more prophesies.

John states that he was an eyewitness to all of this and bares record of it so that whomever reads this would not only know it’s true, but believe.

Because, remember John’s purpose for writing this book that we studied at the very beginning? It was to prove that Jesus really was the Messiah. His gospel account calls us to believe.

Believe…

Jesus was betrayed by the Jews.
He was crucified on a cross.
His side was pierced which was more proof that He was dead.
His blood poured out.
He was sacrificed just as the lambs were for the Passover.
He fulfilled the scriptures even in His death.
He was exactly who He said He was: the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world.

And when all the facts are laid out before us, now being informed of the truth, we must decide what we will do with it.

Will we believe in Jesus? Or will we deny Him as the religious leaders did?

Not choosing is still a choice.