Thoughts on the Gospel of John (198) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should 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. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was 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.
John 19:31–34

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (198)
It is impressive how three things meet at the cross of Jesus: the proud hostility of the religious leaders of the Jews, the unlawful judgment and action of the pagan authorities, and God’s intention to offer His grace to lost people.

The chief priests are zealous defenders of ceremonial order, and because the Passover Sabbath is at hand, special holiness is required in their eyes. They feel bound by God’s injunction that a corpse should not hang on a cross overnight (cf. Deuteronomy. 21:22–23). How contradictory, considering that this commandment is prefaced with the words, “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death”. This part of the commandment was completely disregarded – Jesus was totally innocent!

We might have assumed that the Lord’s life would far outlast that of the other two crucified men, but the reverse occurs. He voluntarily gives up His life; the other two die as a result of the crucifixion. It is also significant that John does not call the two men thieves or evildoers; they are “two others” (v. 18). Their particularly bad qualities need not be mentioned in order to increase the contrast with Jesus. How the glory of the Son of God shines forth even on the cross!

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Job 5:1-27 · Acts 7:1-16