He keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken.--Psalm
xxxiv. 20.
The soldiers (at the request of the Jews, and the command of Pilate)
go forth to execute their last act of cruelty on Jesus and his
companions, having broken the legs of the two malefactors, they
approach the body of Jesus, but here they pause, hesitate, retire,
and leave his bones unbroken. Whence this mark of respect, toward
the object of their scorn and abhorrence? Why did not those voices,
which a few hours before rent the air with cries of "Crucify him,
crucify him," now urge the soldiers to commit the same act of
violence on the body of the dead, though despised Nazarene. To
what cause must we attribute this act of forbearance, on the part
of the by-standers as well as soldiers? Surely, to none other than
the over-ruling Providence of God. He who has the hearts of all men
at his disposal, watched over the body of Jesus, and preserved it
from that act of violence, "He kept all his bones, not one of them
was broken." How exactly was the prophecy fulfilled! How striking
a resemblance does the original bear to the portrait! The Lamb
slain at the Passover, was intended to exhibit to ancient Israel
a crucified Saviour. Of that typical Lamb, Jehovah expressly
commanded, "A bone should not be broken." Though the whole of the
flesh was to be consumed, yet not a bone was to be injured.[95] Does
not that solemn Jewish sacrifice, point us to Jesus, the "Lamb of
God, whose blood is able to cleanse from all sin;"[96] and applied
by the Spirit, will "purge the conscience from dead works, to serve
the living and true God."
[95] Exodus xii. 46.
[96] John i. 29.