THE POWER OF THE CROSS OF JESUS

Passage: John 19:31-42

Key verse: 36

NIV

31 Now it was the day of Preparation,(A) and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses(B) during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.(C) 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced(D) Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.(E) 35 The man who saw it(F) has given testimony, and his testimony is true.(G) He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled:(H) “Not one of his bones will be broken,”[a](I) 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”[b](J)

The Burial of Jesus(K)

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.(L) With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus,(M) the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.[c] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.(N) This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.(O) 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation(P) and since the tomb was nearby,(Q) they laid Jesus there.

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Footnotes
  1. John 19:36 Exodus 12:46; Num. 9:12; Psalm 34:20
  2. John 19:37 Zech. 12:10
  3. John 19:39 Or about 34 kilograms
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus' Side Is Pierced

31 Since it was (A)the day of Preparation, and (B)so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was (C)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 (D)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 (E)blood and water. 35 (F)He who saw it has borne witness—(G)his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—(H)that you also may believe. 36 (I)For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: (J)“Not one of his bones (K)will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, (L)“They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

Jesus Is Buried

38 (M)After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly (N)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 (O)Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus[a] by night, came (P)bringing a mixture of (Q)myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds[b] in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and (R)bound it in (S)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 (T)garden, and (U)in the garden a new tomb (V)in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish (W)day of Preparation, (X)since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

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Footnotes
  1. John 19:39 Greek him
  2. John 19:39 Greek one hundred litras; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Jesus died (31-37) As the Jews wanted to celebrate their Passover ceremony, the soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals. They did not do this to Jesus because he was already dead. Still one of them wanted to confirm his death by piercing his side. That brought a sudden flow of blood and water. That became a scientific evidence of his sure death. Thus fulfilled the scriptures, 'His legs would not be broken and he would be pierced by his side' (Ex 12:46; Zec 12:1 ). Jesus' death was according to God's plan and his prophecies for world salvation work. 2. Jesus was buried by Joseph and Nicodemus (38-42) Witnessing Jesus' courageous death on the cross, forgiving sinners, made a secret disciple Joseph of Arimathea fearless. He boldly asked Pilate for the body of Jesus to bury him. He was ready to lose his social position as a Sanhedrin member. Nicodemus also became bold. He brought very expensive perfume to embalm Jesus' body. Jesus was well wrapped then buried in a new tomb hewn for the rich. This fulfilled the scriptures too. In the cross we see God's forgiveness for our sins and God's power to change sinners.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, your cross takes away all our sins, fear of death and makes us fearless witnesses to Jesus too.

One Word: The cross of Jesus has power to change people