PIERCED FOR MY PEACE

“But one of the soldiers PIERCED HIS SIDE with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” – John 19:34

How greatly reassuring it is to know that JESUS was PIERCED for MY PEACE: “But one of the soldiers PIERCED HIS SIDE with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (Jh.19:34). Isaiah foresaw the Messiah’s crucifixion: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of OUR PEACE was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed” (Isa.53:5). Oh, what a Saviour – bruised to remove my blemish; stricken and smitten for my healing; and PIERCED for My PEACE!

Death by crucifixion was horrible and painfully slow. It began with flogging, and then the criminal would carry his cross to the place of crucifixion, in full public view. Jesus was killed as if He was a criminal though He never committed sin: “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15). Pilate’s action in writing the title “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews” demonstrates ironically, that he (Pilate) did not agree with the treachery of the Jews against Jesus, and he recognised that Jesus is indeed King (vv.19-22). Truly, JESUS is not only king of the Jews, but the eternal King of kings: “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev.19:16).

All of the events relating to Golgotha were foretold in the Old Testament. The soldiers cast lot for Jesus’ cloth: “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lot.” Therefore the soldiers did these things” (vv.23-24). Unknowingly, they were fulfilling prophecy – Psalm 22:18!

Psalm 22:14 says, “I am poured out like water…” Verse 16 says, “For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They PIERCED MY HANDS and MY FEET.”  The wicked tried Him and found the innocent guilty. Oh, what a death! Just for you and I! How could we ever take for granted the Sacrifice of Him who suffered such humiliation, pain, and death for our sake? Nothing happened to Jesus that was alien to the Father’s pre-purposed Agenda: “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” (vv.36-37).

At every stage of the steep climb to Calvary, prophecy and the Father’s Grand Agenda were being fulfilled. Therefore, we who believe in Him should learn to trust and depend on God. He knows it all. Everything in your life is playing out at His command. Nothing happens to you without His awareness, sanction or permission. The Blood that flowed from His pierced side is the Fountain for our healing: “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness” (Zech.13:1). The Blood from His pierced hands and feet washes our WORK and our WALK!

Jesus’ sixth statement on the cross was: “IT IS FINISHED!” (v.30). Those powerful words expressed the completion of the Mission of Redemption. The Greek translation ‘Telelelstai’ means: payment made in full! The debt of our sin is paid in full. Sin is defeated. The wrath of God is satisfied. Upon this pronouncement, the curtain in the temple that surrounded the Ark of the Covenant was torn in two (Mt.27:51). This symbolised unrestricted and full access to God. We are reconciled  with God. We have Victory over Death! Jesus was PIERCED FOR MY PEACE – Peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Phil.4:7).