What does John 19:36 reveal about God's sovereignty in Jesus' death? Reading the Verse John 19:36: “Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of His bones will be broken.’” Old Testament Foundations - Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12 — Passover lambs were not to have a single bone broken. - Psalm 34:20 — “He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.” - These texts speak literally about the lamb and prophetically about the Messiah. God had already scripted the details centuries earlier. Details That Highlight God’s Sovereignty - Roman executioners routinely broke crucified victims’ legs to hasten death (John 19:31–32). - When they reached Jesus, He was already dead (John 19:33). - A soldier pierced His side instead (John 19:34), ensuring the verification of death yet leaving His bones intact. - Every actor—priests, soldiers, Pilate—made decisions they thought were their own, but each action fulfilled divine prophecy word-for-word. Why This Proves God Is in Control • Scripture—not circumstance—determined the outcome. • God’s plan governed even brutal human choices, weaving them into redemption’s tapestry (Acts 2:23). • The precision of “not one bone” shows that no detail is accidental; God’s sovereignty extends to the smallest physical fact. Implications for Us Today - Confidence: If God managed the minutiae of the cross, He can handle every detail of our lives (Romans 8:28). - Assurance: Prophecy fulfilled in Christ guarantees the rest of God’s promises will stand (2 Corinthians 1:20). - Worship: Recognizing the intentional, sovereign care displayed at Calvary draws grateful, reverent praise. |
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