The Crux of History

The whole story of the Bible comes together in the cross. Everything that has happened in the Bible before the events of the cross are leading up to the events of the cross. Everything that is recorded in Scripture after the events of the cross point back to its significance for mankind. Everything that we know about eternity future depends on one reality, whether you believed in the cross or not. You can see this reality in the biblical allusions, types, and the specific prophecies that unfold in the details of Christ’s death. For instance, in John's account of the crucifixion there are at least 15 different connections with OT passages and specific fulfillments of prophecy.

• v. 17 - Jesus was led to the place of crucifixion, not driven there and forced to comply (cf. Isa 53:7)

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7, ESV)

• v. 17 - Jesus carried the crossbeam of the cross on his back, which connects him w/ Isaac carrying wood (Gen 22:6)

“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.” (Genesis 22:6, ESV)

• v. 17 - The fact that Jesus was hung on a tree to bear our curse is consistent with what Deut. 21:23 say…

"a hanged man is cursed by God." (Deuteronomy 21:23)

• v. 18 - In keeping with OT Law Jesus was executed outside the city limits (Num 15:36; Exod 29:14; Heb 13:11-12).

“And all the congregation brought [the one guilty of blasphemy] outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Numbers 15:36, ESV)

“But the flesh of the bull & its skin and its dung you shall burn w/ fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering.” (Exd 29:14) 

“For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” (Hebrews 13:11–12, ESV)

• v. 18 - When Jesus was crucified between two criminals he was “numbered with the transgressors” (Isa 53:12).

“Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12, ESV)

• v. 18 - When Jesus was crucified he was “lifted up” like the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Num 22:9; Jn 3:14)

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14–15, ESV)

• v. 19 - When Jesus was killed by a Roman Prefect he absorbed the rage of the nations rage (Ps 2:1-2; Acts 4:25-26)

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed….” (Psalm 2:1–2; cf., Acts 4:25-26)

• v. 24 - When the soldiers divided up Jesus’ garments they unwittingly fulfilled the words of Psalm 22:18

“they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!” (Psalm 22:18–19, ESV)

• v. 25 - It is worth noting that Jesus—while hanging on the cross in total agony—obeyed the 5th commandment

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12, ESV)

• v. 28 - When Jesus thirsted on the cross he embodied the Davidic suffering described in Psalm 22:15

“my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.” (Ps 22:15)

• v. 29 - When Jesus drank the sour wine that was offered to him it fulfilled the words of Psalm 69:21

“They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” (Psalm 69:21, ESV)

• v. 29 - When Jesus drank the sour wine using a branch of hyssop he did so as the Passover Lamb (Ex 12:22)

“Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.” (Exodus 12:22, ESV)

• v. 30 - When Jesus gave up his spirit he chose the moment of his death and his soul made an offering (Isaiah 53:10)

“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10, ESV)

• v. 36 - When Jesus died before his legs were broken it kept the Passover rules AND it fulfilled Psalm 34:19-20

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:19–20, ESV)

“It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones.” (Exodus 12:46, ESV)

• v. 37 - When Jesus had his side pierced by the Roman Soldiers it fulfilled the words of Zech 12:10

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10, ESV)

Jesus was fulfilling prophecy and he knew it:

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”” (John 19:28, ESV)

Jesus knew that he was fulfilling the Scriptures and it was only when he had done everything that he was supposed to do that he sovereignly died in the manner that he was supposed to die. His death perfectly fulfilled every prophecy about him, which is why the story of the entire Bible finds its zenith at the cross.