Blood and Water

Lesson #321

We encountered a certain amount of speculation in the previous lesson about which day Jesus was crucified on, which side was pierced, and the meaning of the blood and water. Our conclusion is to be careful to determine what is important and true, embrace that and leave the rest as simply observations that were recorded. John continues with what he witnessed: “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” (John 19:35 ESV).

John must have been fairly close to the cross if he was able to identify both blood and water coming from the side of Jesus. John wants his readers to be sure they understand that the wound inflicted by the spear was serious enough to ensure death because our salvation is dependent on it. Jesus must die as payment for our sin.

In the next two verses, John draws our attention to two Scriptures that were fulfilled: “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”” (John 19:36 – 37 ESV). At the time of the first Passover, when blood from the lamb was placed on the doorpost and the lintel, instruction was given not to break any of the bones of the lamb: “It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 ESV). This was stated again in Numbers: “They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break any of its bones; according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it” (Numbers 9:12 ESV). These verses apply to Jesus because he is considered the Passover lamb who is being offered for our sin. A more direct reference to Jesus is: “He (Jesus) keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken” (Psalm 34:20 ESV).

A scripture that relates to: “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” is: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10 ESV). The day will come when the Jewish people will realize that the one they pierced is indeed their Messiah and they will embrace him in belief.

With this lesson we come to the end of the witness of John concerning the death of Jesus. With our next lesson we will look at what John has to say about the burial of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, there should be no question in anyone’s mind that Jesus is dead as he hangs there on the cross with blood and water running out of his side. If Jesus were to stay dead, then there would be no hope for any of us.  We would all remain under God’s wrath. Father, thank you that we will see in a few lessons that Jesus overcame death and rose to victory and provides us with a living hope.