Wed.'s Devo - The Blood that Flowed

Read John 19:31-37
The Jews needed the crucifixion to be over so they could prepare for the high sabbath that was coming. To be able to participate in the passover a person couldn't be contaminated by touching a dead person and there was much to do to prepare for the sabbath. To the Jews the Sabbath was a day when the Gates of Hell are closed, and evil has no power. On that day Jesus was going down to the depths of hell and taking away the keys from the Devil. He was also rescuing the believers from death to be resurrected with him. On the Sabbath they couldn't work or buy food so all that had to be taken care of the day before. Their houses had to be clean so they could entertain on the Sabbath and all food had to be prepared ahead so they wouldn't work on that day.
To hurry the death of those on the cross they would break the bones in their legs so they would not be able to push up to breathe. They broke the bones of the other two men but when they came to Jesus, he was already dead so they didn't have to break his bones. This was also a fulfillment of the ordinances of the passover: the lamb was not to have any of its bones broken. The soldier pierced Jesus side and water and blood flowed out of it. This is the picture of the brazen altar in the tabernacle in the wilderness. The priest would pour water in the spout where the blood was so that the blood would flow. This blood and water would flow out of the side of the altar and when the person who offered the lamb saw the blood flow he knew that his sacrifice had been accepted by God. This was also the fulfillment of Zec. 12:10 that says they will look upon the one they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him.
Lord, thankyou for being the Passover Lamb that saves all repentant people from their sins.