“…But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they break not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there out blood and water”. [John 19:33,34]
Blood and water were signs that our Lord literally “died of a broken heart.” Roman executioners used to break the bones of their crucifixion victims in order to hasten their death. Christ's heart was already broken so his bones did not need to be!
If your heart is already broken your bones don't need to be! What will it be "Broken bones" or “Broken hearts”? It is entirely up to us. Some things are none the worse for breaking, the human heart is one of them. Just as an unbroken horse is worthless to its owner, just so an unbroken heart is of no use to God. Too often we respond only to the bone- crushing experiences of life. God often has to draw one bone cracking, lifesaving boundary after another. Wouldn't it be easier if we submitted willingly in love and trust?
Notice the text says that when they saw that He was “dead already, they break not his legs”, if you're dead already the executioner won't break your legs he won't need to! Give Christ your heart as a gift, Let your heart feel his concerns and longing for a weary world.
Let's start asking God for permission rather than forgiveness. In short let's grow up! A broken heart is no guarantee we won't break a bone or two along the way, we may. But there is a big difference between having a bone broken and needing one broken.
Puritan theologian John Arrowsmith once said “There is as much difference between the suffering of the saints and those of the ungodly as there is between the cords with which an executioner pinons a condemned malefactor and the bandages wherewith a tender surgeon binds his patient”.
Let's die with dignity in those areas where death is required. Dead people are not intimidated by anything! God comforts the broken hearted, not to mention his calling of the executioners club!
Craig
Your heart is precious to him, give it
over completely.
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