Jesus' Side is Pierced

Instead, one of the soldiers pierced 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. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.  These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.  John 19:34-37

This moment is important.  This moment is where the entire crux of Christianity lies.

This moment proves that Jesus was truly dead.  He hadn't just fainted.  He wasn't pretending.  The flow of glood and water proved that He was dead.

In Barnes' Notes From the Bible, it says:

Such a flowing of blood and water makes it probable that the spear reached the heart, and if Jesus had not before been dead, this would have closed his life. The heart is surrounded by a membrane called the pericardium. This membrane contains a serous matter or liquor resembling water, which prevents the surface of the heart from becoming dry by its continual motion (Webster). It was this which was pierced and from which the water flowed. The point of the spear also reached one of the ventricles of the heart, and the blood, yet warm, rushed forth, either mingled with or followed by the water of the pericardium, so as to appear to John to be blood and water flowing together.

Some think that there is more significance to the blood and the water; that there is spiritual, eternal significance.  Blood and water show the two great benefits which all believers benefit from - justification and sanctification.  Blood for remission, water for regeneration.  Blood for atonement, water for purification. Blood pays the price.  Water cleanses and makes new.  Blood and water together.

It is vitally important that Jesus dies.  I hate to say it like that.  But it's true.  If he doesn't die, there's no payment.  If he doesn't die, he cannot resurrect.  If he doesn't live again, he cannot bring us eternal life.

So this one moment is where our entire faith lies.  It's the proof, the truth, the fact. 

He died.  We're forgiven.

End of story.

Well, no, not really.  Because the really cool part is coming!