Lesson 328

(Lesson 328)(07-08-12) John 19:28-42, "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. 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. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand."

This lesson ends John's account of the suffering and death of Jesus, our savior. This is the first step in the sequence of events that would yield up eternal life to those of us who believe.

Many things were done on that day that were in accordance with the prophesies if the old testament. The Romans didn't, as was there custom, break Jesus' legs like they did the two thieves that were crucified with Him.

The fact that the only begotten Son of God lived as a human being, suffered the everyday trials of life, its temptations and torments, while bearing the knowledge that the eternal fate of all mankind was riding on His every decision, without once committing so much as a hint of one wrong toward His fellow man, then willingly giving Himself over to be killed by the most horrible method of the times, leaves me in a total state of wonder and awe.

Praise be to almighty God forever for His awesome blessing to those of us who believe!!!~