Fulfilling the Scripture

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things (John 19:23-25)

When the soldiers …divided them (his garments) into four parts

1. It was by the hands of the Gentiles (Roman soldiers) that Jesus was crucified
2. The number of the soldiers who crucified Jesus were four
3. Usually the executioners tore the clothes of a victim to portray the pain and trouble the victim suffered
4. This was what the soldiers did with the outer garment of Jesus

But the tunic was seamless… “Let us not tear it…

1. The tunic is a garment worn under the coat
2. The tunic Jesus wore was seamless from top to bottom
3. Unusually the soldiers decided not to tear it as a portrayal of the pain and trouble of the victim, but to cast lots to see who would own it
4. This was what the soldiers did with the inner garment of Jesus

This was to fulfill the Scripture…

1. Fulfilling the Scripture is that which has driven Jesus all His life
   1. Jesus was given sour wine, instead of water (John 19:28-30 Cf. Ps. 69)
   2. Jesus’ bones were not broken (John 19:33, 36 Cf. Num. 9:12)
   3. Jesus was pierced (John 19:34, 37 Cf. Zech. 12:10)
2. God has orchestered all that the Lord Jesus went through as the fulfillment of the Scripture
3. Particularly, what the four soldiers chose to do with the clothes of the Lord Jesus fulfilled the Scripture written by David
   1. David intimated to us of such execution scene (Ps. 22)
   2. David being God’s prophet speaks of the Messiah as the victim

There is no such a thing as an accidental or a coincidental fulfillment of the Scripture in the life of Jesus, particularly, when it comes to the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. As for Jesus, Scripture precedes suffering!  There is no separation between God’s Word and Jesus’ life. When we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God, everything else will follow right, fulfilling the teaching of the Bible. May we become so obedient to God that people see our life as an exemplification of the Word!