Look Upon Me, Whom They Have Pierced!

Grace Bible Church
Pastor Robert R. McLaughlin
Tree Of  Life
Week Ending 6-13-2021

“Look Upon Me, Whom They Have Pierced!”

*Happy 50^th Birthday to Deacon Jason Kauranen who has stood in the gap during Pastor’s convalescence, giving up personal time in order to prepare and teach messages, in addition to his normal Deacon duties and fatherly duties as well. We are blessed by his contributions.

As regulars know, we advocate repetition here at Grace Bible Church. As regulars know, we advocate repetition here at Grace Bible Church. As regulars know…. Just kidding! But to be serious, we understand that we as human beings often have short attention spans especially when it comes to God’s word, because the sin nature is squirming in its seat during Bible class and doing anything it can to get us to divert our attention! Also, we are like the lotus eaters in the ancient myth – forgetful! In James chapter 1, we get a look at this, as well as our main point of repetition which can not be under-emphasized:

Jam 1:21-25 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness [REBOUND], in humility [teachability] receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.

John 13:3-12  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean,

Let us remember to always practice the rebound technique, as we call it, following the mandate of 1 Joh 1:8-9, to recover the filling of the Spirit prior to beginning our study of the Word of God, as He is our mentor, and the One who teaches us (1 Joh 2:27), and we understand that when we sin we lose the filling of the Spirit and do not receive epignosis, or metabolized Bible doctrine in our souls.

Now that we let the Lord wash our feet, let us resume our study of the 29 prophecies in the book of Zechariah, beginning in Zec 12:10

23. Zechariah taught that His body would be pierced with a spear.
Prophesied: Zec 12:10
Fulfilled: JOH 19:34-37

Zec 12:10-11 “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

This comes in the chapter before Zechariah 11, which we covered in a few of those past prophecies, were we saw Zechariah, by the Lord’s command, was pasturing the “doomed” flock. Zechariah was a representation of the Great Shepard, which is our Lord Jesus Christ.

The “doomed flock” description pointed to their rejection of God and the messenger that He sent to them. They did not respond! Key point in these prophecies, they did not accept Jesus as Messiah!

Heb 13:20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the Great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,

Yet what we truly see here is the outcome of God’s divine love, as God will still defend His people and remain Faithful, keeping the promises He made. His attitude towards His people is one of Forgiveness. Which is something the Spirit has been saying to the church, as Deacon RT brought out with the Lord’s supper during Sunday’s service. While this is directed at the Jews in this context, it applies to Church Age believers as well under the doctrine of the grafting in (Rom 11:17).

This is a prophecy that is fulfilled in part at the Cross (as with the piercing) and will continue upon Jesus Second Coming, as with the people of Israel; I will explain as we go… and you can read it in the context.

Zec 10:12a I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplication

Part of this great outpouring of strength, for the Jewish people at the time of Christ with persecutions, and also outpouring of might to defend the faith (individually) + the city Jerusalem (as a nation of God chosen) will be an outpouring of God the Holy Spirit (the power supply) – but for the purpose of grace and supplication.

The Holy Spirit (as the ultimate Helper and Mentor) will bring to their remembrance, all that they should have recognized in Jesus Christ, as pasturing them like a Great Shepherd, through the teaching of the Torah and OT Scriptures, which is now leading them to a repentance. Zechariah is seen as a type of Christ being a Shepherd, commanded by God, at the time of the prophecy.

Zec 12:10b “so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him,”

At the Cross (as this verse points out) - Then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for the death of his only son: a firstborn; the privileged one of the family, as the bible teaches us. His head was pierced with thorns, His hands and feet were pierced with nails, and a spear pierced His side. Samantha covered the word study last lesson, but a quick reminder:

“Pierced” = dâqar (daw-kar') to stab; strike (thrust) through, wound.

And we will see more of the piercing in the fulfillment of John’s passage coming up.

I want to point out a few more things in this passage, before we see the fulfillment.

They will look: They will finally turn away from their trust in the foolish, worthless shepherd (the failed religious leaders) and turn their focus on the Good Shepherd (TLJC).

However, He will be the crucified King of the Jews, the Messiah; that was supposed to bring about the Kingdom of God, not look like a mere defeated man. That might be why they missed when He first presented Himself but seeing the anguish and persecution of an innocent man, they will eventually be drawn to Him. Victory over death!

Just like when we see Jesus crucified – understanding why He went to the cross and what He accomplished there – we are drawn to Him in humble repentance.

Joh 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (which he will be at the cross), will draw all men to Myself.”

They will look on Him whom they pierced. The nation of Israel will realize that they did it, and that they bear responsibility (not sole responsibility, but responsibility nonetheless) for the crucifixion of their Savior.

This is not just the Romans, not just the religious leaders, not just the Jewish people, not just the Nation as a whole. They are all responsible!

They will mourn: The Jewish people will turn to Jesus in repentance, mourning their rejection of Him. The mourning will be deep, straight to the core of their heart (emotions) as if for loss of an only son, the firstborn. We are never guaranteed any other blessing, as far as children, and certainly in the bible we see many barren women that were said to be a curse or looked down on, if they could not bear a child. So, the loss of one that was blessed to your care, was cause for the mourning.

Again, the Firstborn was synonymous with the most beloved.

Col 1:15 “He (TLJC) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

And so, He will be, by this prophecy of His death, also the firstborn to resurrection, which is most important in our Hope.

Col 1:18 “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

The first shall be last and the last shall be first. But Jesus Christ has first place in everything as this verse states and hopefully He has first place in your lives as well.

God’s perfect plan and perfect timing.

Now Just to note (these dual prophecies); This will also be fulfilling the amazing promise of Rom 11:26 (And so Israel will be saved) and many other passages that tell us that before the physical return of Jesus to this earth (at the 2^nd coming of Jesus Christ), the Jewish people – as a whole – will believe on Him as their Lord and Savior. AMAZING!

Zec 12:10, “They will look… they will mourn” in our prophecy:

We see the pattern for coming to believe on Jesus Christ and a true repentance.

First, we are to look to Jesus, then we mourn for our sins, which He has taken care of at the Cross.

However, Looking to Jesus must come first.

Now the eyes have a great function in the body. They are said to be the window to the soul. They give us focus and perception, as one of the 5 senses (hearing, taste, touch, smell, SIGHT).

For our study, we are going to see (no pun intended) two unique things about the eye(s):

First, we use eyes to look with, our sight, it is our perception in the physical realm:

Sight, or perceiving things through the eyes, is a complex process. It all begins with LIGHT…

Beginning with light, which is reflected off an object to the eye.

The transparent outer layer of the eye, called the cornea bends the light that passes through the hole of the pupil. The lens of the eye then bends the light and focuses it on the retina, which is full of nerve cells. The iris (which is the colored part of the eye) works like the shutter of a camera, retracting to shut out light or opening wider to let in more light.

The continued focus turns the light into rods or cones, which give us color, shapes, etc…(info) received to the retina via the optic nerve. The information translated from the light is sent as electrical impulses to the brain. There is more to it but hopefully you get the picture.

Dr. Mark Fromer, an ophthalmologist NYC Lenox hospital says this:

"The cornea focuses most of the light. Then, it [the light] passes through the lens, which continues to focus the light,"

Joh 12:46 (Jesus speaking) “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”

Joh 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

So the analogy I am using:  Jesus as the Light, when we look upon Him, as we focus more on Jesus Christ, in our own lives,

Heb 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Heb 12:2“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The Spirit is the One (like the cornea) to shape or guide the Light (Joh 15:26), through our right lobe as Bible doctrine (like the pupil directing to the retina) (Heb 4:12), and then our Volition (like the iris of the eye, acting as a shutter) to either let more of Him In (positive volition) helping someone growing spiritually or shut Him out (negative volition), making someone cloudy or blind to His divine essence. Hence, stifling your relationship with Him. In this way we can know this Light and we can become lights to the world (Php 2:15) by reflecting that Light of Christ back out through our words and by demonstrating our love.

The next function of the eye is to weep with – crying (an outward sign of emotion) or to cleanse away dirt, wipe lenses clean.

Now the function of tears is to moisten the eye and clear/cleanse it from unclean things, this is for improved focus.

Jesus does not let us dry up, spiritually being our living water, cleansing us and making all things clear… that is the analogy, but we are talking about the eyes … So, I want you to see these two Hebrew words in our study:

Weep = bâkâh (baw-kaw') = to make lamentation; to mourn with tears.

Mourn = sâphad (saw-fad') = to tear the hair and beat the breasts; to wail aloud with tears.

“The eye which looks to the pierced One is the eye which weeps for Him.” (Spurgeon)

Israel will look to Him and accept Him as the Messiah, as individuals and then collectively, and weep and mourn when they understand what they put Him through.

23. Zechariah taught that His body would be pierced with a spear.
Prophesied: ZEC 12:10
Fulfilled: Joh 19:34-37

Joh 19:30 “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

Here is our fulfilled prophecy verse:

Joh 19:34-37 “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” And again another Scripture (fulfilled) says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.”

Interesting connection to point out. In the Temple at Jerusalem, above the altar where the Passover lambs were slaughtered, there was a cistern. From the side of the altar ran a trough that went all the way out of the side of the Temple to carry the blood away. After all the lambs had been slaughtered, the cistern was opened so that water would pour out and wash the blood out of the side of the Temple. So, after the lambs were sacrificed, blood and water poured out of the side of the Temple...there is that divine stamp in which we see Christ symbolically represented everywhere in the word, in the rituals, in the furniture in the tabernacle, in the feasts, etc. AMAZING!

Now, Pastor Bob has done a wonderful study on the Blood of Christ, and we recently talked about that a little bit in the past month. IT is highly recommended that you order a free copy of this amazing book if you do not already own one. For this synopsis I will not detail the study, though you can read it in full in the book, or catch it in part in the recorded class on YouTube for June 9 2021. I will simply say here that we know that Jesus died physically and spiritually, but it is the spiritual death which satisfied God’s justice in the payment of the sins of the whole world, which is called propitiation. But Jesus did not die physically by bleeding to death or asphyxiation. Rather, He remained alive until scripture had been completely fulfilled and every part of God’s plan for His life and substitutionary death was finished, and He committed His spirit to God, and died, as an act of His will! There is very rational scientific/medical proof of this which Pastor reveals. This is a fascinating study but it is very detailed and is too long for this synopsis. Please check it out on your own time, you will not be disappointed.

to sum up this fulfillment of prophecy,

After John saw the blood clots and serum gush out of our Lord's chest cavity, he said,

Joh 19:35 "And he [the apostle John] who has seen the water and the blood has testified, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth so that you also may believe."

In other words, what John described in the previous verses of John 19:30‑34, is completely accurate and becomes a testimony to the Spirit of Truth. And that it is to fulfill the prophecy of verses 36 & 37.

John’s eyewitness account, explains the importance of Christ's physical death, followed by His resurrection; the importance of His true humanity; the importance that just as Christ had that resurrection body with remarkable mobility features, so we too will one day have the same resurrection body as He has.

1Pe 1:20-21 “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

And He had to have a resurrection body before He could ascend.  He had to have a resurrection, ascension, and session being seated at the right hand of the Father before He could receive:

His Royal title, “King of Kings, Lord of lords”; without which we could not become the body of Christ, the Church, and the Royal Family of God! Thank God that we have faith and His Hope in us!

These are in no special numerical order. However, you will see how they all blend into each other beginning with:

9. David prophesied the shame and dishonor that Jesus would suffer, being condemned as a criminal.

Prophesied: PSA 69:9, PSA 19-20

Fulfilled: MAT 26:55

PSA 69:9 "For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me."

Like the majority of our prophecies this passage is pointing out to us underserved suffering, David’s sin was not the only cause of his problems.

He was also rejected and spoken against because of his zeal for God and His house.

The zeal connected to God’s house for David was evident in his desire to build God a temple (2 Sa 7:1-3) and in the diligent preparation he made for the temple that his son Solomon would actually build (1 Chr 22:1-5).

Yes David was a sinner, but God not only chose David to be one of the greatest Kings of Israel but also to be part of the Messianic line. God knew what David’s heart would be. God didn’t look at David’s sin, He looked at David’s heart and David was a man after God’s own heart.

Ps 69:9 (KJV) "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.”

The Apostle Paul referenced Ps 69:9 in speaking of the sacrificial nature of Jesus in Rom 15:3.

Principle:
1. Humility is the first key to the spiritual life

In Rom 15:3, Paul is speaking directly to those who are strong enough in their Christian faith that they feel secure in the grace of God. He is speaking to mature believers. Mature believers feel free to enjoy things formerly restricted for them by the law. e.g. meat, wine, and not observing special religious days. In a broader sense, mature believers don't feel led to add additional "do not" restrictions beyond those made clear in Scripture. Remember that the Scribes and Pharisees added a lot to the original codex of the Law. They thought the Law was the path to salvation and perfection.

1Tim 4:4 "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;"

-Received with a gratitude, with a mindset of humility.

Let’s take a look at our Pastor’s definition of SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

“Spiritual maturity is the third and final stage of spiritual maturity. It is accomplished by the believer who has advanced in the spiritual life by executing the predesigned plan of God in his or her own dispensation. This high ground of spiritual maturity is attained after the believer passes many tests of undeserved suffering and the various momentum tests.”

(Our study is focusing on underserved suffering).

“Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with sinless perfection, which cannot ever be realized in this life, but is characterized by virtue developed by an attitude of perseverance despite many failures. The mature believer has attained to the measure of the fullness of Christ, EPH 4:13. The life of the mature believer is also known as the super-grace life, JAM 4:6.”

Now back in Romans 14, we see an actual situation between the Mature believer and the not-so mature believer where Rom 14:1-2 Paul draws attention to the tension created between Christians because of conflicting ideas. This not only leads to differences of opinion about how we should use our freedom in Christ, but also acts as a window for the kingdom of darkness to cause confusions and interrupt spiritual growth.

When the Bible is clear—and on the truly important issues, Scripture is very clear—then there is no reasonable room for doubt or disagreement.

However, what about things that are not clearly sin?

Is it okay for Christians to eat meat?

What about meat that has been offered to idols?

What about observing Jewish holidays and Sabbaths?

Is that right or wrong for Christians?

In the modern context, this applies to issues which are also not clearly spelled out in Scripture, such as consuming alcohol (ROM 14:21) or watching movies, or listening to certain types of music. Paul's answer to these questions is surprising.

First, he refers to those who think of certain foods or items as inherently sinful -- as being weak in faith. He does not mean that these people are not Christians, they have faith in Christ.

Nor does he mean they are all spiritually immature. Paul means, and here is the more important part, these “weak” believers do not yet fully trust that God has set them free from observing the law or religious rule following. They are ignorant of the grace of God. They struggle to understand the principle of 1Tim 4:4.

Instead of condemning these people, though, Paul speaks abruptly to those, mature believers, of stronger faith in the grace of God.

He commands them to welcome those with weaker faith into the full life and Royal Family of God. More, he tells them not to welcome them with an ulterior motive of convincing them they are wrong in our 2^nd prin:

2. In humility, we should not use our freedom in a way that may be harmful to the faith of those who have not the faith for such freedom yet.

   Again: humility is key to living the Christian way of life. Spiritually mature believers have learned humility. We are all at different stages of growth. Paul’s message is essentially that instead of judging one another over things that are a matter of preference, we should mind our own business and let every one do what they do as unto the Lord.

   Rom 14:6-7 “The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it isfor the Lord thathe does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.”

   After all, Paul now writes, they are following Christ. Christ did not please Himself in this life (Rom 15:3). He lived a life of self-sacrifice in serving and pleasing others. In that context, the reproaches—the mockery and criticism—of those who reproached God the Father fell on Christ.

By comparison, Paul seems to be saying, strong-faith Christians i.e. mature believers should be willing to look past debating on issues of less importance, such as to give up meat, or give up wine, or to skip the Sabbath, or any other matter of their personal freedom, for the sake of building up their weaker siblings in Christ.

We will move on to our fulfillment passage:

9. David prophesied the shame and dishonor that Jesus would suffer, being condemned as a criminal.

Prophesied: PSA 69:9, PSA 19-20

Fulfilled: MAT 26:55-56 -Our Lord reacted in Humility.

There is so much to these prophecies and we don’t want to miss out any aspects of them. Deacon Jason showed us another prophecy that was also fulfilled in MAT 26:55 about how the Shekel in weight and value, is important for us to understand that Christ was sold out for a “robbers price.”

Our Lord was being treated like He was a actually a threat. He was only seen as a threat by the Pharisees and Scribes because He exposed their hypocrisy and unrighteousness. Since that was the basis of their power and status, they were afraid of Him.

Our prior prophecy studies showed us that although our Lord was treated with shame and dishonor, He would not react with shame and dishonor. He would, however, react with humility. Matthew 26:47–56 parallels Mark 14:43–50, Luke 22:47–53, and John 18:1–11.

This passage paints the scene of Jesus' betrayal and arrest in the garden of Gethsemane.

What is so great about passages like these is that our Lord shows us how to handle similar experiences and trials, how to handle undeserved suffering – with grace and humility.

MAT 26:55 takes place about the time that Judas arrives leading an armed crowd of soldiers, temple guards, and others, and identifies Jesus to the arresting crowd using a friend's kiss. Our Lord knows what is about to happen to Him. However, just because Christ knows what will happen and goes willingly, that does not mean He won't point out the absolute absurdity of the situation. With humility, of course! He turns toward those who have come in a large mob, with swords and clubs, in a secluded garden, in the dark of night, and asks them with divine sarcasm if they came to arrest a robber? Did they really expect Him to put up a fight? Since they based their view of Him on lies and deceit, probably! They heard He was a rebel and a troublemaker, a drunk and a glutton…

They wanted to get rid of Jesus quietly, under cover of darkness, which they would attempt to do this very night before the people could figure out what was going on. Part of that plan was to pin Jesus' death on the already-hated Romans, Matthew 27:1–2; Mark 10:33; and Luke 18:32 point that out.

Moving onto the 2^nd part of MAT 26:55

This is where I would like to point out something quite important: the Temple was where our Lord taught and therefore as the Temple of our Lord we should always be ready to teach those who desire to learn.

MAT 26:55b “Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.”

Notice how our Lord had no fear in the temple and spoke the word in the temple Himself  though there were those who hated Him and wanted to kill Him. We are the Temple in this dispensation, so we ought to be fearless in speaking the truth even among those who hate it and hate us (really they hate God, we are just the visible ambassadors, as the earlier passage states – the reproach for God falls on us). Jesus left the consequences to God the Father and the Supreme Court of Heaven.

Finally, Jesus emphasizes to everyone present that His arrest and the events to follow will fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets (Mat 26:56). Nothing is happening which is not supposed to happen. In fact, it's the opposite: this is the moment God has been engineering all along. Jesus will not stop it, because it is the reason He has come (Joh 18:36–37).

At those words all the disciples scatter into the darkness. Matthew writes that they "left him," in the sense that they all abandoned Jesus. Which is exactly what Jesus said they would do just a few hours earlier in Mat 26:31. Jesus wanted them to get away for their own safety. God still had a plan for their lives and it didn’t involve being arrested with Jesus that night!

26. As no bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken (Exo 12:46), not a bone of His would be broken.

Prophesied: PSA 34:20

Fulfilled: JOH 19:32-36

Let’s first briefly see Ex 12:46 as it relates to the Passover Lamb:

Ex 12:46 "It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring any of the meat outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it."

Which corresponds to:

Ps 34:20 "He protects all his bones, Not one of them is broken."

This chapter, Psalm 34, opens with something David expresses several times: a vow to constantly praise and honor God (Ps 61:8; 145:1–2). Remember, David had a zeal for God. David's comment about his "boast" being in God relates to Paul's similar references in the New Testament (2 Cor 10:17; Gal 6:14).

2Cor 10:17 (NASB) "But THE ONE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD."

The preface to this psalm refers to David escaping from Abimelech by altering his behavior. (Maybe you have seen this scene in the movie King David, with Richard Gere.) This event is recorded in 1 Sam 21:10–15. There, facing capture by the Philistines, David pretended to be insane. In that culture, those suffering insanity were thought to either be cursed by the gods, or specially touched with divine messages. The point: such people were to be avoided and left alone.

In this psalm, David gives thanks to God for hearing his prayers, and for protecting him (Ps 34:4–7). After thanking God for rescue, David turns to appeal to others to trust in the Lord.

Ps 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

To "taste" means something more than a superficial experience. Humans have five basic senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. God created these senses, and remember: everything God creates is good (1Tim 4:4).

As a former shepherd, David would have been familiar with lions, and knew - that even those powerful creatures - would suffer without food and shelter. David fully recognizes that faith in God does not make a person immune to hardship (Ps 34:19). Still, he notes that God provides all that His people truly need (Ps 34:8–10). This falls under the category of logistical grace.

In the final section of this psalm, David both acknowledges the reality of underserved suffering and the ultimate rescue provided by God. God's rescue of His people is not always in a physical sense (HEB 11:13–16; 2CO 12:7–10; JOH 16:1–4, 33), but He promises ultimate salvation (Joh 10:28) to those who follow Him (Ps 34:19–22). We just saw a bit of this principle in Hebrews 11 with our invisible heroes.

In 2Cor 12:7-10 we read that Paul was taken to the third heaven in an extraordinary and unique experience. This is the dwelling place of God! There, he was shown things he was not allowed to reveal on earth. The experience was so intense that Paul doesn't know whether he travelled in his physical body or outside of it. In verses 1-6, He insists, though, that it actually happened and God knows the details of how it came to be. Such an immeasurable gift would have given Paul seemingly limitless confidence to keep preaching, despite terrible suffering. It also gave him the perspective that /Such suffering in this life was not worth comparing to the glory of eternity (2Cor 4:17).

Now Paul speaks of boasting but his boasting is in God. This is in part to counter the Corinthians’ accusations that he is arrogant. In reality, Paul mostly described his weaknesses and suffering. His motivations are clear. God said His "power is made perfect in your weakness" (2Cor 12:9).

The Greek word being used there, ‘teleitai’, refers to completion or accomplishment. For the sake of Christ, he is content, even with all sorts of trials and suffering. He has made peace with the fact that such weakness in his life is exactly what is needed. It is what pulls Paul's earthly self aside, leaving room for Christ's strength to accomplish what God has called Paul to do. Believers must trust God the most in areas of their lives where they are weakest, or where they suffer the most.

All of this brings us to David’s comment in this last passage of Psalm 34, which is the reference to broken bones. Verse 20 mentions God preventing the bones of the righteous from being broken. In immediate context, this is clearly hyperbole: an exaggeration for effect. David is not saying that Believers in Christ will never break bones. David's main point is that God is infinitely capable of protecting His people. However, this statement also serves as a prophecy about the death of the Messiah. Passover lambs were to be prepared without breaking the bones (Ex 12:46), and Jesus was crucified without suffering any such injury (Joh 19:33–37).

The word "keep" in verse 20 is translated from the Hebrew sō'mēr', which means to "exercise great care over." It is comforting to know God has such deep concern for us. Mat 10:30 shows us that the Lord's watchful care of us is so complete that He knows how many hairs are on our head.

Now we will get into our fulfillment passage:

26. As no bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken (Ex 12:46), not a bone of His would be broken.

Prophesied: PSA 34:20

Fulfilled: JOH 19:32-36

Beginning with verse 32:

Joh 19:32 "So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him."

It may be shocking and graphic, but it is a powerful thing to see a prophecy fulfilled like this, that after all our Messiah endured, He did not have one bone broken. Crucified victims were usually nailed through the wrists and ankles such that pain would be maximized, and blood loss minimized. Remember that crucifixion was not just an execution, it was meant as torture, debasement, and humiliation. This is what God was willing to put His own Son through for our sake, and what He was willing to endure for the joy set before Him! It is hard to even comprehend, it seems unreal, so the more we are reminded of it, the better.

The posture of slightly bent knees and outstretched arms meant the chest was naturally pulled open. This made it difficult to exhale. Only by pressing up on the nails, primarily by the feet, could they take a decent breath. Over time, fatigue and shock would make this too difficult, and death by asphyxiation—suffocation—would follow. To accelerate the process of death, executioners would use a heavy rod to shatter the shin bones. Believe it or not, it was considered an act of mercy! Without such measures, it could take many long hours, even days for the victim to die.

Since this is a time of religious celebration (Joh 19:31), the Jewish leaders don't want the city defiled by leaving corpses hanging on the sabbath (Deu 21:23). The Roman governor isn't going to object to that request, so he approves breaking the legs of these three men (Joh 19:18). But Jesus was already dead by that time, so His legs were not broken (Joh19:33–34).

The fact that Jesus did not break any bones also corresponds to His role as the perfect Passover Lamb in accordance with 1Cor 5:7. Israel sacrificed spotless lambs at Passover (Ex 12:5), being careful not to break their bones (Ex 12:46). Incidentally, those lambs also had their legs wrapped in swaddling cloths to keep them from being damaged. Jesus was born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths (which would have been present during feast time) – He is the lamb of God! Jesus’ willingness to be the ultimate sacrificial Passover Lamb -- would make it possible for the sins of those who shame and dishonor Him to be forgiven (Rom 5:8–11)

On to our next prophecy: you may see that this one does mirror a previous one, but allow me to repeat - repetion is good!!

28. Nailing of Jesus’ hands and feet;
    Prophesied: Zec 13:6
    Fulfilled: JOH 20:27

    Zec 13:6 "And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will say, ‘Thosewith which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’ “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate,” Declares the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; and I will turn My hand against the little ones.”

**This prophecy is actually argued by many scholars that it does not refer to a prophecy about Jesus and only to the context of the false prophet that Zechariah is mentioning in Scripture. However, my hope is it will become evident by what I bring you today.

The Historian Jerome explain that certain wounds, in ancient times were seen as punishment, they were even inflicted by ones parents or master.  Here especially written of that of a prophet, which was to be cut off from the land, if he would still continue to tell of prophesy. The wounds of a child or slave…

However, wounds of chastisement are not inflicted on the hands, and the punishment of false prophecy was, not such the description of these wounds, but only to result in death.

Likewise, wounds in the hands were no punishment, which parents would inflict. These wounds are referring to the punishment of the cross and crucifixion. The brutal Roman punishment.

The mention of these wounds, harmonize with the piercing before (Zec 12:10) and the smiting of the Good Shephard which follows in (Zec 13:7) (nails, spear or sword).

This is also recorded in PS 22:16, which Samantha has covered in an earlier prophecy.

The house of friends referred to here is the house of “Abraham and Isaac and Jacob” and also including the household of David. These wounds are commanded by the Father’s will, and ones that He will be obedient to go through. Perfect timing of God!

Now for the fulfillment, please turn to John 20:24-27

Joh 20:27 “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving but believing.”

This Prophecy and fulfillment taken together, tells us how Jesus Christ came by the wounds; He received them as a “false prophet”.  The whole context of Zechariah’s prophecies is in the setting of rejection of the Great Shepherd, but were they referred to Him as a Prophet. They did not except him as we have seen. This is made more evident by the chief priests and religious leaders calling Him out as a deceiver, not the Son Of God, but it was by their own words when we see how the Holy Spirit records the accusation, in Matthew’s Gospel:

Mat 26:63-64 “But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

In Joh 20:27 we see how Jesus handles the doubt and rationalism of Thomas. He singles him out in front of the others as a teaching opportunity for all. He invites Thomas to touch his wounds, both his hands, and the wound in His side. Now remember, Jesus is in His resurrection body at this time – Jesus Christ is unique in many ways as we have studied, one more way is that He is the only person whose resurrection body carries scars! These He will carry for eternity as a sign to His faithfulness and supreme love. Jesus essentially overcomes the doubt while teaching Him of the value of faith over rationalism, but also says to Him effectively, “keep moving forward, believe in ME!”

Christ is pleased here to accommodate Thomas and strengthen him in a seeming needless thing. Rather than to break away with him, and leave him in his unbelief, Christ heals him by gentle rebuke, curing him of his unbelief.

Eze 34:16a “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick;”

And with our aim to be like Christ, we should take on this attitude also, which Paul comments on the application and makes know in his letter to the Romans.

Rom 15:1-2 “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”

I encourage you to take that message out there, Be Bold RF!

Now let’s Please turn to Mark 11, for our next prophecy.

29. Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on a colt (donkey).

Prophesied: Zec 9:9

Fulfilled: Mar 11:7-11; Mat 21:1-11 (v4-5)

Zec 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation,

Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Zechariah states in this verse that the people  of Jerusalem are to get excited. As matter of great joy, for the entire land and the inhabitants, which God promised to His people and to His House, the coming of their Great King.

Knowing God never exhorts man to “rejoice greatly” in this world’s joys, but here, through the Prophet, is a command to have them burst into jubilee.

“Rejoice” = gheel or gool = to spin around with gladness; to be exceedingly glad; take part in another’s joy.

“Greatly”, (as an intensive) = meh-ode = louder and louder; beyond measure.

They were to dance and shout for gladness of spirit, it’s a celebration of someone; which we will see is exactly what happened with the fulfillment. Then we have the word “behold” – meaning pay attention, always in the bible as a point of “here comes an announcement.” Look and see.

“Behold, your king comes to you” … not a king, but YOUR King, the Messiah, comes to you in the city, Jerusalem.

“He is just and endowed with salvation,” =  The King brings with Him, Justice (Righteousness) and has the saving work.

Isa 32:1 “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes shall rule in judgement.”

This is no doubt pointing to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Their King was the one to bring Salvation to them, delivering them as God had promised from times of their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. David even confirm this speaking of the LORD,

Ps 25:5 “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.”

Zechariah then declares that their king should come to them in a meek, poor condition (Zec 9:9), look how Isaiah says the Lord will come:

Isa 53:4 “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.”

Our Lord describes himself,

Mat 11:29 .., for I am gentle and humble in heart,… Mat 8:20b .., but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.

And Paul tell us,

2 Co 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Now, Jewish history has it that kings and the sons of the Judges rode in the city on donkeys (asses) Jdg 10:4,12:14

On the other side, Horses much statelier and more majestic. Horses were used in war or battle. Horses with chariots and was a symbol of power. They signified Royalty! As we picture Our Lord in

Rev 19:11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.”

Remember - the Cross comes before the Crown – our Lord came first in humility, to be slain as the Lamb of God, but when He comes again it will be in glory with all three royal patents, two from his physical birth, but the third, which He had not yet attained at this time, which was assigned to Him after the resurrection, ascension, and session – King of Kings and Lord of Lords! This time He comes on a white horse!

Lets look to Mark 11 for the fulfillment. I will give verse 11:5-10 here to save space.

Mk 11:5-10 “Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission. They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” 

All the four Gospel writers take notice of this passage of Christ's riding in triumph into Jerusalem, and record it. It happened four days before his death. The Passover was on the fourteenth day of the month, and this was the tenth; on which day the law appointed that the unblemished lamb should be taken up (Ex 12:3), and that unblemished lamb should be set apart for that service; on that day therefore, Jesus Christ became our Passover Lamb, who was to be sacrificed for us (Joh 1:29)

This picture of a triumphal entry, on a donkey satisfied the prophecy, but Jesus knew what was to come so He stayed humble, even when the people would be claiming Him to be “a great Prophet of Nazareth (recorded in Mat 21:11), though He was called a Savior by some … when they greatly rejoiced yelling Hosanna.  This was a practice or tradition set as instructions to note a thanksgiving to God assigned by David. But mere days later, this same crowd would be swept up in a different emotional swell, yelling “Crucify Him!” with savage bloodlust. Then they would mock His royalty in such a “civilized” manner…

Here Christ is lowly, meek and willing to suffer the greatest injuries and persecutions for His people, bearing with their follies, oppression, and treatments of unkindness. Christ makes Himself easy to access, easy to be entreated. Christ, by coming in this manner, gave the poor, desolate and unfortunate Hope that they could reach out to Him being on a slow, moving donkey approaching the city. Now, don’t ever mistake meekness for weakness, just because someone is unassuming and quiet, doesn’t mean they are any lesser, especially in His Kingdom. And this is something the Bible teaches through it’s Scriptures.

As for the religious leaders … They were not in a condition to “judge the evidence” properly and to be convinced. They were stubborn, arrogant, and full of pride. They saw someone who would cause them more and more trouble and expose them. They wanted rid of him so badly that they were willing to do anything to do it, even abandoning their own laws and customs which they supposedly held so dear. The end justified the means. They were sure He was not of God, not the Messiah...

Joh 13:20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

Christ’s Purpose is for the encouragement of lowly, poor lost souls to be able to attach themselves to Christ. Another Prophecy fulfilled giving us a beautiful painted picture of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Humble Servant King!