MIDWEEK MEDITATION

28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

31 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. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 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. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

John 19:28-37

The cross wasn’t a surprise; it was the plan. He wasn’t backed into a corner, He walked purposefully towards His own death. Jesus was a king. He is the King, and yet he laid down His power to follow the Father’s plan. He is our high priest, the one who unites us with God, and yet he was killed under the charge of blasphemy. Jesus, the Word which became flesh and blood would have His body broken, and His blood spilled like a sacrificial lamb for our redemption.  

Yet even in the darkest moment, when everything seemed lost, God was in control. 

Every detail of Jesus' death was in fulfilment of God’s plan. Down to the words spoken with His last breath, Jesus walked the path of pain and suffering set before Him. He completed God’s work of redemption and He did it for you. 

Jesus wasn’t an unwitting martyr. His death was purposeful. If you have put your faith and trust in the work of Jesus on your behalf, then His purposeful death gives you a purposeful life. God has a plan for your life and one that came at great cost – for you were bought with a price. Are you living out that purpose? 

Father, thank you for sending your Son to die for me. Teach me to meditate on the death of Jesus and the purposeful life that brings. May I never live for less than what Jesus has for me.