1 Kings 4:1-5:18; Jeremiah 12:1-17; Ephesians 5:1-21
These things therefore the soldiers did. John 19:24
The human mind is incapable of understanding the relationship between the purpose of a sovereign God, and the responsibility that men bear for their own deeds. That both things are true, however, is inescapable. Roman soldiers, totally ignorant of the prophetic Scriptures, had cast lots for His garments, but could not divide His coat. Renowned for their discipline, they nevertheless disobeyed an order to break the legs of the Lord Jesus and, unusually, one of them pierced the Saviour’s side with a spear. “That the scripture might be fulfilled” is written large over Calvary, where divine limits could never be breached. —Phil Coulson
O Calvary! O Calvary! The thorn-crown and the spear,
Tis here Thy love, Lord Jesus, Thy flowing wounds appear. —Unknown