Finished But Not Over

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. Jn 19:33-34

Why did he do it? He could have called down a legion of angels. Destroyed the entire Roman army and easily saved himself. So why didn’t he? What’s this all about anyway? Who was this man, Jesus?

"Cut them down!"

"But, sir, they’re still alive."

"Then get the mallet. Break their legs!"

The cross. It was such an evil game. And the Legionnaires played it well. They knew exactly where to place the nails to elicit maximum pain. The perfect angle to bend the legs. The cruel effects of traumatic shock.

The horrible wooden mallet swung. The convicted criminal’s lower leg bones cracked. He screamed in agony as his battered limbs gave way. His weight fell against his tightly bound wrists and the slow process of suffocation began. The second victim’s death was much the same. The mallet flew. He emitted a terrible scream. His bent legs collapsed beneath him, and his constricted chest could no longer breathe. Asphyxiation set in. But then they came to Jesus…

"This one’s already gone," the Legionnaire exclaimed.

"Make sure of it!"

"Sir, you saw what happened! When he took his last breath. The earth shook. Thunder rolled. The sky turned dark as night. You saw it! Surely this man was the Son of God!"

"Give that to me!" The chief guard grabbed a long sharp spear and thrust the tip into Christ’s bare chest. A mixture of blood and water flowed from his wounded side. But there was no movement. No crying. The spirit had already left his body. Jesus Christ was dead.

"He’s finished," the guard shouted. "Cut him down."

And that was it.

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Why did he do it? Why? Because he loved us that much. Jesus could have saved himself but he chose to die, to offer himself as a living sacrifice for you and me. He suffered that horrible, painful death so that we might live forever. In the eyes of the world it was over. Jesus lost. But don’t be fooled. It may have been finished when Christ drew his final breath on the cross, but it was NOT over. His death was just the beginning. The best was yet to come! For this man, Jesus Christ? He was the Son of God, and he was about to reveal God’s ultimate plan.

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