Show Don't Tell: John 19:28-37

Instead of saying "Jesus died and his side was pierced," watch the completion. Later, knowing that everything has now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus says: "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar is there, so they soak a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lift it to Jesus' lips. Hyssop—the same plant used to spread blood on doorframes at the first Passover. When he receives the drink, Jesus says: "It is finished." With that, he bows his head and gives up his spirit. Not dies—gives up, hands over. Voluntary to the end. Now it is the day of Preparation, and to prevent the bodies from remaining on the crosses during the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders ask Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers break the legs of the first man and then those of the other. But when they come to Jesus and find that he is already dead, they do not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierces Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."