“Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” John 19: 34
We know that all scripture is God - breathed (2 Tim 16-17) therefore there is no word written by accident. Every detail is there for a reason. Sometimes on first reading we don’t always understand the significance or perhaps we read it on one level, but the beauty of the scriptures is their depth. Many stories have layers and layers of meaning and as we search and dig beneath the surface we will discover incredible truth. Some people believe today’s verse is included to prove that Jesus had actually died on the cross. However we know from the previous verses that the Roman soldiers had broken the legs of the two criminals beside Jesus as a way to quicken their deaths but when they came to Jesus they could see there was no need for this, “But coming to Jesus, when they saw that He had already died, they did not break His legs;”
So why did they pierce his side and what is the significance of the blood and water?
In the gospel of John, the emphasis is on life. We see the son of God coming to bring divine life to all of mankind. Throughout the book he refers to many images and themes that speak to us about what the life of Jesus means. Two of those images are the wine and water. We know from the Passover meal that Jesus took the wine and told his disciples; “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26: 27-28). The blood speaks of redemption. His blood poured out on our behalf to cleanse us from our sins. The theme of water speaks of life…the new life that we can live by the Spirit which is only made possible through his death on the cross. “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7 37-38
This life-giving act, where Jesus lays down his life so that we can receive life is foreshadowed in the festival of booths in John 7. At the climax the priest pours out the two silver bowls. One is filled with water the other is filled with wine. As they are poured out they were declaring their dependence on God to pour out his blessing of rain on the earth. They are looking for the temporal blessings of rain for each season but what they do not realise is they are symbolically declaring the ultimate blessing upon the earth where heaven’s gift through the life of Jesus is poured out in order that we may receive life eternal. Divine life rains down from heaven giving life to all who are willing to receive it.
Today we can have confidence that our sin has been dealt with. Jesus has paid the price and his blood has been shed so what we can receive the blessings of God. The water of His Spirit is flowing in our lives and we can be assured that it comes from a source that never runs dry.
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Who Do You Say I Am Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2020