28-30 Ps. 69 has several prophecies of the Messiah's death. There are about 300 prophecies of the Messiah; the chances of even a handful being fulfilled in one person are mathematically impossible. Was His life taken from Him against His will? What was finished--what things had been accomplished? Read Gen. 3:15, 22:1-13, Is. 53, Rom. 5:1,6-8,15-21, Col. 1:21-22, Heb. 2:14, 9:11-10:14.
31-37 Again, this Sabbath could have begun Friday night, or it could have begun Thursday night if this preparation day was considered a Sabbath, which cannot be proved one way or the other. Why break the legs? The soldiers fulfilled prophecy; so do the actions of sinful people (believers OR unbelievers) fit into God's big plan? How did crucifixion cause death? Breaking the legs would bring death quickly so that the bodies could be taken down. Jesus had already died; according to 34, blood and water could indicate bursting of the heart. 35, John stresses that he was an eyewitness of this event. At the time John wrote this, the Gnostics were denying Christ's incarnation and His bodily death; John may be addressing this heresy. What is the whole purpose of John's account of Jesus? What does Ex. 12:46 require for the Passover lamb? Why did Jesus choose to die on the day that He did? The prophecy about piercing refers both to His side and to His hands and feet. So is the Old Testament relevant to the New Testament believer?
38-42 What do we know about this Joseph? He was a rich, prominent Pharisee, Mark 15:43, who had not consented to their plan and action, Luke 23:50-51--do you think other Pharisees may also have been secret believers? How would you compare Joseph and Pilate, in how they handled their fears?
Nicodemus was also a Pharisee; his conversation with Jesus is in John 3. That account does not state that he believed at that time; he may have, but it seems likely that it would have stated if he did. So what has been going on in his life since then? Did he only become a believer at this time? Might he and Joseph been secretly talking? Why do you think they chose this moment to go public as followers of Jesus? What could the Pharisees do to them that had had them so worried? Do you think that openly standing with Jesus after death might have been their attempt to salve their consciences for not standing for Him before His death, for not being willing to pay the price? Do you think they might be feeling kind of like Peter felt when the cock crowed? The men partially prepared the body; the women would return after the Sabbath to complete the task.
Copyright 2006 Jan Young