The Pierced One

Read Zechariah 12:10 and Psalm 22:16

On this Good Friday, we are reminded of the deep significance of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for our sins. The prophecies found in Zechariah 12:10 and Psalm 22:16 foretold the coming of a Savior who would be pierced for our transgressions, and these prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

In Zechariah 12:10, the prophet speaks of a time when the people of Jerusalem will look on the one whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourns for an only child. This prophecy speaks of the piercing of Jesus’ side with a spear while he was on the cross. In John 19:34-37, we read how this prophecy was fulfilled when one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, and blood and water flowed out, confirming his death.

But why did Jesus have to be pierced for our sins? In Psalm 22:16, David foretold the coming of a Savior who would have his hands and feet pierced – a vivid depiction of the crucifixion centuries before the Roman practice of execution by crucifixion was even established. 

In the midst of His anguish, Jesus cried out the opening words of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Through these words, He not only expressed His own agony but also pointed to the fulfillment of the psalm, serving as a testament to the divine orchestration of His redemptive mission.

As the hours passed and darkness veiled the land, the significance of Christ’s sacrifice became increasingly apparent. With His final breath, He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), ushering in a new era of grace and reconciliation between God and humanity. Through his death on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins and opened the way for us to have a relationship with God.

The imagery of Jesus as the Pierced One is powerful and profound. It reminds us of the incredible love that God has for us that he would send his only Son to die for our sins. It also reminds us of the high cost of our salvation, that it required the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross.

But the story of Easter doesn’t end with the crucifixion. Three days after Jesus was pierced and crucified, he rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of his divinity and the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament.

In Romans 4:25, we read that Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has made a way for us to be justified before God, to be made right with him. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can have forgiveness for our sins and eternal life with God.

Today, we stand on the other side of Easter Sunday, beneficiaries of the pierced One’s sacrificial love. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life to all who believe in Him. May we never cease to marvel at the depth of His love and the fulfillment of prophecy in His glorious resurrection.

May we never lose sight of the Pierced One, who bore our sins on the cross and rose again to give us new life. May we be forever grateful for his sacrifice, and may we live our lives in response to his incredible love for us.

Today, we stand on the other side of Easter Sunday, beneficiaries of the pierced One’s sacrificial love.

Reflective Questions:

1. Reflect on the imagery of Jesus as the Pierced One. How does this imagery deepen your understanding of God’s love and sacrifice? Consider the significance of Jesus being pierced for our sins. How does His willingness to endure such suffering demonstrate His love and commitment to our redemption?
2. Meditate on the idea of Jesus as the one pierced for our transgressions. How does His sacrifice offer hope and healing to those who are broken and burdened by sin?
3. As you contemplate the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10 in Jesus Christ, take a moment to thank Him for His sacrificial love and the forgiveness He offers. How does His pierced hands and side inspire you to live a life of gratitude and devotion?