Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read John 19:23-24.

TEXT: They divide my garments among them, and
for my clothing they cast lots (Psalm 22:18).

Now David takes us to the moment when Jesus was
stripped naked and hung on the cross. It is a small detail
that takes on prophetic proportions when the Roman
soldiers use two different methods to divide His clothes
among them.

Four soldiers were assigned to guard each crucified
criminal. They divided between themselves the condemned
man's earthly possessions at the time of his crucifixion. In
Jesus' case it simply involved His clothing and His
seamless tunic. The clothing was easily divided into four
piles, but the tunic was a different matter. They could have
ripped it into four equal pieces of cloth, but all agreed it was
more valuable left in one piece. It would be better to cast
lots to see who would get the whole tunic rather than lose
its value by ripping it into four parts.

When you look at the specific details predicted in this psalm
it is nothing short of remarkable. Jesus writhed like an injured
worm on the cross (verse 6); He was mocked with virtually the
same words as the psalm quotes (verse 8); Jesus' lifeblood
poured out of His wounds like water pouring out of a broken
clay pot (verse 14); His hands and feet were pierced with nails
(verse 16); and finally His clothes were divided and gambled
over.

When you add to that the knowledge King David had never
seen a crucifixion before, it is a marvel. The fulfillment of these
details in Jesus' passion and death proves without a doubt the
Holy Spirit was guiding David through these predictions. And
these prophecies prove without a doubt that Jesus of Nazareth
was the long-promised Savior, David's Son and David's Lord.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, the Old Testament prophecies prove without
a doubt You are the Son of God, our Savior, God's own Messiah.
Make my faith firm until I see You face to face. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)