December 15th

Daily Reading

Psalm 22:7-8

Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much,
let the Lord rescue him!”

Luke 23:35

The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

Psalm 22:18

They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

(Readings taken from Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/ New Living Translation)

A Compelling Case

That soldiers would throw dice for the garments of Jesus is an impressively specific and obscure prophetic utterance. It is one of the many pre-meditated actions that exist wholly outside of Jesus’ control.

Perhaps it is possible that Jesus of Nazareth was aware of the dozens of criteria laid out for the anticipated Messiah. Perhaps, educated in Jewish Law as a child, and recognizing the connection to his own birthplace and circumstances which forced his refuge in Egypt, Jesus and Mary fabricated the story of his miraculous virgin birth. Perhaps it is possible that Jesus intentionally set about attempting to fulfill each of the prophecies as he audaciously traveled from city to city, proclaiming himself as the long-awaited Saviour.  

Perhaps.

But the fulfillment of this prophecy, Roman soldiers flippantly bartering over the clothes of another Jewish criminal, seems highly improbable. What did the Roman soldiers possibly have to gain if they were simply playing a part in the elaborately plotted master plan of Jesus of Nazareth?

Unless.

Unless it is true. Unless in the shockingly selfish behaviours of a rabble of soldiers, uninterested in the man they are punishing, we witness yet another prophetic requirement fulfilled.

The comparison between Jesus and the soldiers is poignant. The soldiers are single-minded in their pursuit of self. Gambling over the clothes of a dying man that they might gain a little extra for themselves. Jesus, in contrast, is willing to sacrificially lay down his life for all of humanity.

Captivating. Kind. Consistent.

The evidence is compelling!