44: He was the Lamb of God. “It is completed!” (John 19:28 – 42)

The crucifixion was the King’s declaration of the war against death. The war comprised two parts: removing the guilt of sins through death and demolishing the power of death through the resurrection. The death scene recalls the atoning and cleansing ritual of OT.

👉 Read John 19: 28 - 42

Q1. To fulfill the scripture, Jesus said, “(               ).” A soldier gave Him (        ) using a branch of (          ). He received it and said, “(              ).”

To fulfill the scripture, Jesus said, “( I am thirsty ).” A solider gave Him ( sour wine ) using a branch of ( hyssop ). He received it and said, “( It is completed ).”

"The scripture" (verse 28) refers to Psalm 69:21 or Ps 22:15, which illustrate the suffering of the godly. However, what John meant was not only the suffering of Jesus. He portrays Jesus’ death as the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. 

In Hebrew words, 'sour wine' (or vinegar) and 'leavened' have the same root חמץ. The jar full of sour wine recalls the water jar for ritual cleansing. However, this jar was full of sour wine, which was considered leaven and was prohibited during the Feast of Unleavened Bread when Jesus was crucified. 

From this background, the sour wine might represent the guilt of the sins. And the hyssop was used to transfer the guilt upon Jesus. Note that John especially mentioned ‘hyssop’ that was used to sprinkle the blood in the OT offerings and rituals.

With all the burden of our sins on His body, He acclaimed ‘It is completed!’ and died.

Q2. Why did they break their legs? 

They wanted to take down the victims before sunset

It was their hypocrisy that they didn’t want to defile the land, especially for the Feast, while they maliciously manipulated Pilate to crucify Jesus, an innocent prophet. 

Once the victim’s legs were broken, he could not push up his body and breathe. Thus, he will die of suffocation. 

Q3. Jesus was already dead, they did not break the legs. Instead, a soldier pierced His side with a spear, and (          ) and (        ) flowed out immediately. John saw it and testified that we would believe Jesus was the (         ) of God to cleanse our sins. Not breaking the (         ) also coincides with the Passover lamb requirement.   

Jesus was already dead, they did not break the legs. Instead, a soldier pierced His side with a spear, and ( blood ) and ( water ) flowed out immediately. John saw it and testified that we would believe Jesus was the ( Lamb  ) of God to cleanse our sins. Not breaking the ( bones ) also coincides with the Passover lamb requirement.

John portrays Jesus’ crucifixion as the King’s enthronement and the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. “Look, the Lamb of God” (1:36) Yes, the Lion and the Lamb were Jesus' images found in Revelation chapter 5.  

Q4. Who took Jesus’ body and buried Him? Note how the Bible describes them.

Joseph, a hidden disciple of Jesus

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council) had come to Jesus in the night in chapter 3.

They had a chance to follow Jesus publically. But they didn’t, in fear of the Jewish leaders or losing privilege. However, they came out after Jesus’ death. 

We’d better not miss the timing of God’s kingdom. 

How did you read this passage? He was the Lamb prepared by God for my sins. He has removed all guilt of your sins. Nothing left.