Scriptures Fulfilled So That You May Believe

John 19:35-37- And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

John gave solemn assurance that he was present at the crucifixion of Jesus and saw these things with his own eyes. He also explained the reason for his testimony: so that the reader may believe.

The manner and certainty of the death of Jesus is an essential part of our Christian belief. All the details John wrote in his Gospel about the death of Jesus lead us to belief.

· The innocence of Jesus leads us to believe.

· His great dignity under suffering leads us to believe.

· The manner of His death – crucifixion – leads us to believe.

· The title on His cross leads us to believe.

· The gambling for His clothes leads us to believe.

· The love for His mother leads us to believe.

· The cry, “It is finished!” leads us to believe.

· Jesus peacefully giving up His spirit leads us to believe.

· The certainty of His death leads us to believe He was really resurrected from the dead.

These things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled: Remarkably, what seemed to be a random choice by an anonymous Roman soldier – to pierce the side of Jesus instead of breaking His legs – was done that the Scripture should be fulfilled.

Not one of His bones shall be broken: This prophecy of Psalm 34:20 (as well as Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12) was unknowingly and accidentally (on man’s part) fulfilled. Nevertheless, its exact fulfillment shows the providence and guidance of God, and leads us to believe.

The Roman soldier was commanded to break the legs of the crucified men, yet for some reason he did not break Jesus’ legs. This was a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy.

They shall look on Him whom they pierced: This prophecy of Zechariah 12:10 and 13:6 was also unknowingly and accidently (on man’s part) fulfilled. Nevertheless, its exact fulfillment shows the providence and guidance of God, and leads us to believe.

Based on The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik.