John 19:28-42
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31 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. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other 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 blood and water. 35 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. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly 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 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in 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 garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Reflection
The crucifixion of Jesus was the fulfillment of what God had foretold in the Old Testament. The Scripture had anticipated that Christ would thirst (John 19:28; Ps. 22:15); this was so that so that we would never thirst again (cf. John 4:14). The Old Testament indicated that Christ’s bones would not be broken (19:33; Ps. 34:20); this was because Jesus died as the Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12). The Scripture said that Jesus’ garments would not be torn (John 19:24; Ps. 22:18); this was because, unlike the first Israel, Christ’s kingdom will never be divided (1 Kings 11:29–31).
As his mission came to an end, Jesus cried, “It is finished,” and gave up his spirit. Everything that the Scriptures had promised—everything needful for our redemption and for the coming “new world” (Matt. 19:28)—was accomplished. Nothing was left undone.
1 Peter 1:10-12
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
Reflection
The gospel of grace in which Peter rejoices (1 Pet. 1:3–9) is the fulfillment of hope anticipated throughout the Old Testament. The gospel is not a new idea as Peter is writing; the salvation accomplished by Christ is the highpoint of all preceding human history. The prophets wrote of “the grace that was to be yours” (v. 10). The Old Testament, too, contains a message of grace. The whole Bible is the unfolding story of God’s rescue of human sinners—a rescue even the angels of heaven long to behold (v. 12).
Psalm 22:14-18
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
The crucifixion of Jesus was predicted in the Old Testament because our salvation was not an afterthought but a plan that God had made before the earth was even created. Take some time to thank and praise God for including you in his plan of salvation “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4).