The Spear

                                                                        John 19:34
                                         "But one of the soldiers, with a spear pierced his side"
                                            "and fourth with came there out blood and water"

      This was a sad and dark day for Jesus earthly family. The only reason the crucifixion took place was, because there was no other way for us to be saved. Our Lord endured the ugliness of it all. I want us to concentrate on the first part of the scripture.  "But one of the soldiers, with a spear pierced his side. We know that Christ was already dead or had give up the ghost; that's why the soldiers didn't break Christ legs
     I studied art in college and was taught to pull out what the painter was saying or should I say what I thought he was saying. Have you ever look at the painting of  "The Crucifixion" by:  Peter Paul Ruben.  His painting will draw you in to the picture. Mr. Ruben said; "perhaps we can see the wound in Jesus side as our constant sins. I myself looked and looked at the Crucifixion, I could see the scene acting out in front of me. Here's what I mean; I could see the sorrow on the faces of the women. I could see that the horses were startled along with the painful faces of the thieves. Our Lord and Saviour hanging dead on the Cross; "instead of the soldier holding that spear,"  I saw me holding the spear as if I were still stabbing Christ.  Maybe Paul was right, that wound may in reality be our own recent sin.
                                                         May God Forgive Us All

                                                                                        Minister Robert A. Lail