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Was Jesus Christ's Body Broken? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe significance of Jesus Christ's unbroken bones emerges as a profound element of divine orchestration. When the Roman soldiers came to Jesus during the crucifixion and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs, fulfilling the scripture in Psalm 34:20, which declares that the Lord guards all the bones of the righteous man, ensuring not one of them is broken. Despite the immense suffering Jesus endured—being beaten, bruised, scourged, pierced, and marred beyond recognition—God preserved the integrity of His bones, demonstrating His absolute watchfulness. This preservation of Christ's bones aligns with specific instructions for the Passover sacrifice, as detailed in Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12, where God commands that the bones of the Passover lamb must remain intact, a requirement unique to this sacrifice. As our Passover, Jesus' unbroken body perfectly meets this divine stipulation. Furthermore, the unbroken state of His body holds critical importance in relation to the covenant God made with Abraham, a self-maledictory oath where God swore by His own existence to fulfill His promises. Had Jesus' body been divided, it would have suggested the Covenant-Maker's failure and the enactment of the self-malediction. Thus, while His blood was shed to seal the New Covenant, it was equally vital that His body remain whole to uphold the promises made to Abraham. Through His sovereignty, God ensured this dual necessity was flawlessly accomplished.
His Bones Were Not Broken
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingThe significance of Jesus Christ's unbroken bones during His crucifixion stands as a powerful testament to His role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. The practice of breaking the legs of the crucified was a brutal method to hasten death, yet Jesus was spared this fate, aligning with scriptures that declared His bones would not be broken. This detail, often overlooked, fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 34:20, which states that God guards all His bones, not one of them is broken, as witnessed by John at the crucifixion. Jesus is the perfect antitype of the Passover lamb, whose bones were to remain intact as instructed in Exodus 12 and Numbers 9:12. Just as the Passover lamb was chosen without blemish, Jesus was innocent and pure, and His unbroken bones symbolize this perfection. His death by bleeding out, rather than suffocation, mirrors the sacrificial lamb's slaughter, with His blood redeeming humanity as the lamb's blood saved the firstborn of Israel. Furthermore, the unbroken bones of Jesus signify the intended unity of His church. The saints are represented as part of His body, flesh, and bones, intimately connected to Him, as emphasized in Ephesians 5. Just as His bones were not broken, the church is meant to remain unbroken, unified in love and oneness, reflecting the relationship Jesus shares with the Father. This unity is a call to serve one another in love, ensuring the body of Christ remains whole and inseparable, as He desires for His bride, the church.
Was Jesus Christ's Body Broken? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeHow often have we heard the phrase 'Christ's broken body'? Is it a valid and accurate concept? What effect does it have on our observance of the Passover?
Was Jesus Christ's Body Broken?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWas Jesus Christ's body actually broken? If so, it would have symbolized disqualification and a broken covenant. Only the bread of Passover was broken.
Why Was Jesus Not Crucified as Passover Began? (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe timing of Christ's crucifixion does not coincide with the Passover, but instead lines up with the covenant God made with Abraham, marking a major fulfillment.
Remember: Truth and the Real Torch of Freedom
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe Night to be Much Observed emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the true Torch of Freedom, extricating us from Satan and his multiple deceits.
Christ's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus perfectly fulfilled the Old Testament types, slain as the Passover Lamb, resurrected with the cutting of the wavesheaf, and ascended to His Father at the time of the waving of the sheaf.
The Second Passover
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of Passover's importance, God has provided a mechanism for a rescheduling if there is a legitimate need arising from unavoidable circumstances.