Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

John 19:31-37

Sometimes I wonder about John’s paragraphing technique (as an English teacher). It feels like he really should have put a paragraph break in at some point in today’s passage. Well, either him or the person who translated it into English (presumably Tyndale). It really feels like there should be a break in the line of thought.

That being said I know I use paragraph breaks far too liberally in my blogging.

Still it’s just a big slab of text in today’s passage.

However, having read it a few times now, it really is just one thought with multiple sub-points. The whole paragraph is John giving testimony.

John writes his gospel for one express purpose – that you may believe.

What is it that he wants you to believe? I think he wants you to believe that Jesus is the Christ. The chosen one out of all the Jews. Called ahead of time. Planned centuries ago. Now arrived.

Remember, John was standing at the cross with Jesus’ mother and a few other women who were his followers. John is an eyewitness to the cross. That’s why his testimony is so important. He recounts that Jesus’ legs were not broken. He recounts that instead Jesus’ side was pierced and both blood and water came out.

He tells us that we might know.

The passage strikes me as being very Jewish. This I realise is a somewhat self-evident thing to say, because the whole Bible is Jewish. Yet this passage has quite a focus on the Old Testament traditions of the law that the ancient Jews held dear.

It begins by saying that the Sabbath is coming soon and that everything they do with Jesus’ body revolves around that. They are Sabbath focused, if nothing else.

Then John tells his readers what happens and refers to the ancient writings we now call Scripture. Or more to the point, tells us that everything has happened exactly according to the plan.

The soldiers didn’t break Jesus’ legs, because they were never going to be broken.

Jesus’ side was pierced because that’s what was going to happen instead.

Exactly according to plan and John saw it all. Which is why he’s the best person to tell it all.

Jesus’ death on the cross is the most pivotal event in history. An eyewitness account? Or three steps down the line giving report? I know what I’d prefer.

John’s account is trustworthy because he was there. The grace of God to ensure that one was witness to the cross who could then write it down for us.

That all might know the truth and believe.

Yours believing,

Alison