That the Scripture Should Be Fulfilled

The death of the Lord Jesus was amazing in many respects. Today, we will give attention to the amazing fact that every detail surrounding his death was in complete fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. John 19:36a “For these things were done, that the scripture [Old Testament prophecies] should be fulfilled”. What things? What prophecies?

#1 – Psalm 22:18 “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” The fulfillment: John 19:23,24 “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it...”

#2 – Psalm 69:21b “... in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” The fulfillment: John 19:28,29 Jesus “...saith, I thirst.” “...they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.”

#3 – Psalm 22:16c “...they pierced my hands and my feet.”“He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.” The fulfillment; John 19:31-33. To hasten death, the soldiers broke the legs of the two convicts who were crucified at the same time as Christ, “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs.”

#5 – Zech. 12:10b “...and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced.” The fulfillment: John 19:34 “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

The fulfillment of these (and other) prophecies in every intricate detail gives us confidence to believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the one who died for our sins according to the scriptures. The Apostle Paul affirmed in I Cor. 15:3,4 “...that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” How marvellous! How amazing! What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus!

Dr. Russell Harpur