Crucifixion...Fulfillment

Crucifixion…Fulfillment

This Sunday, we start a week of remembering the sacrifice Jesus has made for each of us. Palm Sunday starts with the triumphal entry of Jesus and ends with His triumphal resurrection from the dead. Even though we start and end the week in celebration, there was much sorrow in between. This sorrow, although tough to read about, was needed in order to fulfill the Scriptures. When I look back at this week in Scripture, I am always in awe of the Omniscience of God. When the Old Testament was written, God already knew what was going to happen in the New Testament. He had the authors write it down to help us see how incredible He is.

The passage we will be examining is John 19:28 and following. As we pick up in verse 28, Jesus has been betrayed by Judas, arrested by His enemies, denied by Peter, found guilty by Pilate, and nailed to the Cross by Roman soldiers.

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that
Scripture would be fulfilled; Jesus said “I’m thirsty.” John 19:28

The events of the Cross fulfilled Scripture as Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” Psalm 69:21 was fulfilled in this act. When vinegar was given to Jesus, He said, “It is finished,” and He died. “It is finished.” The debt is paid! This statement alone should give us comfort and assurance. The work that brings salvation is finished! We can neither add to it nor take anything away from it. The saving work of the Cross is finished. PRAISE THE LORD!

“But when they came to Jesus and found that He was already dead,
they did not break His legs.” John 19: 33

This event fulfilled Word of God in Exodus, Numbers and Psalms. They pierced His side fulfilling what was prophesied in Zachariah 12:10.

The fulfillment of prophecy truly amazes me. The God of the universe is a God of the details. This gives me great hope in knowing that if God were so detail-oriented with the crucifixion of Christ, then I can rest assured that He cares about every detail in my life. As we remember the sacrifice of Christ, let us take time to thank Him for the love and concern He has for all of us!

Happy Easter! Jesus is Risen!
Aaron Hodges