John 19:33-34, “But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs….these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” And again, another Scripture, says, “They will look on Him whom they have pierced.”
Here John highlights two specific passages that Jesus’ crucifixion fulfills. The first is Exodus 12:46 where, in giving instructions regarding the Passover Lamb, YHWH tells the people of Israel, “you shall not break any of its bones.” The second is from Zechariah 12:10 where YHWH tells His people that they have “pierced” Him with their idolatry and that, when they look on Him whom they have pierced—and recognize Him for who He is—they will repent in mourning.
That John brings these two passages together at the cross is significant. The crucified Christ is the True Paschal Lamb whose blood is spread over the cosmic doorpost of the cross, who is pierced by the sword of death that humanity deserves, and who—as the slain Lamb—is the covenantal meal upon whom we must feed by faith if we are to enter into the fellowship with God that is true Life. Further, John’s addition of Zechariah 12:10 here implies that the crucified Christ as the True Paschal Lamb IS YHWH pierced by His people’s idolatry, the one upon whom to look with Spirit-given faith is to be brought to tearful—and life-giving—repentance.
So, as many celebrate Passover on this 8th of April, 2020, may the true Paschal Lamb—YHWH incarnate, pierced by His people’s sin and slain as their substitute—be lifted up before the eyes of the world, so that at the name of the crucified and risen Jesus—the Lamb who was Slain and yet, behold, lives forevermore—every knee would bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue would confess that Jesus Christ reveals and truly is YHWH, to the glory of God the Father.
