How should John 19:37 influence our response to Jesus' crucifixion today? Setting the Scene • John 19:37: “And, as another Scripture says: ‘They will look on the One they have pierced.’” • John deliberately reaches back to Zechariah 12:10, anchoring the crucifixion in God’s ancient, unbreakable promise. • The verse frames Calvary not as tragedy but as fulfillment—God’s plan, foretold, now visible in flesh and blood. The Prophecy and Its Fulfillment • Zechariah 12:10 foretold a moment when God’s people would “look on Me whom they have pierced” and mourn. • At the cross, onlookers literally gazed at Jesus, the pierced Messiah—proof that Scripture speaks with precise accuracy. • Revelation 1:7 extends the vision: “Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him.” Fulfillment at Calvary guarantees future fulfillment at His return. • John 19:37 insists that the prophetic word is reliable; every promise about Jesus—past, present, and future—stands firm. Seeing the Pierced One Today • We no longer stand at Golgotha, yet the invitation remains: fix your spiritual sight on the pierced Christ through the testimony of Scripture. • To “look” is more than a glance; it is sustained, believing contemplation (Hebrews 12:2). • This gaze stirs both grief over sin and gratitude for redemption (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). Practical Responses 1. Repentance – Let the sight of the pierced Savior expose the seriousness of sin. – “They will mourn for Him” (Zechariah 12:10); sorrow over sin is a fitting response. 2. Faith – Trust the sufficiency of His wounds: “Whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:15). 3. Worship – Adore the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:9). The cross is God’s greatest revelation of love and holiness. 4. Witness – Point others to the One you have seen by faith. As the soldier’s testimony spread (John 19:35), so should ours. 5. Perseverance – When trials press, look again at the pierced One; His finished work secures present grace and future glory (Romans 8:32). Living in Anticipation • Calvary’s fulfillment fuels confidence for Christ’s return. • Keep looking: every communion table, every Scripture reading, every act of obedience becomes a rehearsal for the day when “every eye will see Him.” Closing Reflection • John 19:37 calls us to a lifelong posture: eyes fixed on Jesus, hearts softened by His wounds, lives aligned with His victory. |
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