But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.–John 19:33-34

God in His providence, would not allow any of the bones of His sinless Son to be broken. It was pictured in the Pascal Lamb (Num. 9:12) and prophesied in the Psalms (Ps. 34:20). There must be no doubt among us that Christ is not divided; nor can He be, or will He be, received in part. Our only hope for holiness before a righteous God is the whole sacrifice of the spotless Lamb.

There is another reason God would not allow the legs of Christ to be broken. The miracle of blood and water from the side of Christ must be accomplished to further testify the purpose for which our Lord died. The wicked act of this frustrated soldier was planned and used of God to publicly declare an accomplished redemption. God requires an atonement of precious blood, innocent blood, to justify guilty sinners and satisfy the demands of His holy law. From the innocent animal that God Himself slew in the garden to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness, all the way through the history of His people, the shedding of sacrificial blood was given to picture what was now once and for all accomplished by Christ upon the cross. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. But with it; oh, with it..., there is now no condemnation. None! Glory to God for His unspeakable gift.

What about the water? Man is not only in need of atonement and justification but he is also in need of holiness. Without holiness no man will see God. We must be cleansed from the filth that defiles us. We must be sanctified in the sight of a holy God for His eyes are too pure to look upon sin. Some would tell us that we go to the blood of Christ for our justification and then to the law and our good works for sanctification. The flow of blood and water from our Lord's side tells us that we go to Christ for both. Everything we need is found in the person and work of Christ Jesus (I Cor. 1:30).

The Lord Jesus likened spiritual birth to physical birth when he said to Nicodemus, "you must be born again". What is present at the birth of a baby? Lots of blood and lots of water. From our entrance into this world as the sons of Adam, we are told of our need to be justified and sanctified. From the. testimony of our Lord's pierced side we are told..."It is finished".