John 19 - Evidence that Demands a Verdict!


23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” Psalm 22:18
33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” Psalm 34:30 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” Zechariah 12:10, Isaiah 53:5
As Jesus is on trial before Pilate, we see several things happening at once.  For one, Pilate is not interested in dealing with Jesus.  He would rather have the Jews deal with their own issues with him.  The only issue for Pilate is that Jesus is claiming He is a  king. Then the Jewish leaders goad Pilate by saying, "We have no king but Caesar".  This gets Pilate's attention because his only goal is to keep his boss Caesar happy.  
But what is really important here is the fulfilled prophecies listed above and where they come from in the Old Testament, which was written roughly 1,000 years earlier. Fulfilled prophecy is one greatest proofs to Jesus being the Messiah.  Some have said that Jesus could have known the prophecies and created the circumstances where he could fulfill them.  The problem is if you read through these three prophecies Jesus could not have orchestrated any of them happening. Each incident and its details are triggered by the Roman guards who had no idea of these Messianic prophecies.  This proves their authenticity.   
Although faith is trusting in what we believe and often what we can't see, fulfilled prophecy is great evidence that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. It also points to the trustworthiness of the bible. These are only 3 prophecies fulfilled, and eventually Jesus will fulfill many more.  When you start adding up the odds of one man fulfilling all of these prophecies, the odds of happening are staggering.  In the end this is great evidence that Jesus was who he said He was.  It is evidence that demands a verdict regarding the most important truth claim ever made.      

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