ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS

DAY 162 OF 365 IN 2021

John 19:31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

What did the proponents of Jesus’ crucifixion hope to gain from it?
This question suddenly struck me on the basis of today’s text. The crucifixion of Jesus occurred on preparation day, the day which preceded the sabbath. Subsequently, we read that they were happy for the legs of those crucified to be broken, and taken off the cross. It just occurred to me ‘that could have been Jesus! ‘ Had He not died too soon, he  could have made it off the cross with broken legs.

But we do acknowledge that the initial plan, the intent was always to lay down His life. However, had the issue of taking the men off the cross being the outcome, what would have been achieved by those who wanted Him crucified? Would they have gone through all the hustle just to prove a point? That they could get Jesus to the cross? Would that have been enough?

Perhaps not, but there are many who would have been happy to see a sight as this. Those who will be perfectly rejoicing to find you in the situation you’re in: trapped, cornered and broken. Not that they will gain much out of it, just the delight that they could bring you down to your knees according to their ploys.

However, things will not turn out the way others want when we are under the shadow of the Almighty. When people expect us to be at sixes and sevens, lost and broken, confused  and disorientated, God works things out FOR us. His desire is that we can always expect an outcome that positions us in His very best – that no influence is able to strangle us out of this best- not even the machinations of non-well meaning men.

You will be broken, O nations, and will be shattered. Listen, all you distant nations. Prepare for war,  though it will backfire on you! Prepare for war, yet you will be shattered! Go ahead, hatch a plot, but it will be foiled! Go ahead, speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us!”[Isaiah 8:9-10]

#sly