Following Footnotes

Do you ever follow the footnotes as your read the Bible?

The footnotes are not, of course, inspired. But a good reference Bible can help you to understand Scripture more fully, especially when they track citations of other Scriptures or similar ideas.

A good example is John 19:36. When the Romans would crucify criminals, they would break their legs to bring about a more rapid death. Remember, the cause of death in crucifixion is asphyxiation – the weight of your body rests on your chest and lungs, so that you cannot breathe. The only way to draw a breath would be to “stand up” on the cross. It wasn’t easy, and it was intensely painful. But it became absolutely impossible with broken legs; so that’s why the Romans would break the legs to hasten death.

In Jesus’ case, however, He was found to be already dead, so it wasn’t necessary for His legs to be broken. Of course, there is a second reason His legs weren’t broken – in order to fulfill prophecy:

John 19:36

36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (ESV)

So this is where the footnotes come in. Where is it written that Christ’s bones would not be broken? Certainly in Psalm 34:

Psalm 34:19-20

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken. (ESV)

But it also appears in yet another passage – the institution of the Passover. Christ is, of course, the perfect Passover Lamb, offered up for us. But even this small detail of His intact bones did not escape God’s prophetic revelation:

Exodus 12:43-46

43 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but every slave that is bought for money may eat of it after you have circumcised him. 45 No foreigner or hired servant may eat of it. 46 It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. (ESV)

“You shall not break any of its bones.” Indeed, His bones are intact. He bears the wounds of the cross, but His physical Body is still whole in heaven, not decaying in a tomb. God is faithful to His promises.

Pride, Nebuchadnezzar, and Soli Deo Gloria

We’re back in the first grade classroom teaching Sunday School and Children’s Church this month. Yesterday’s lesson was Daniel 4.

What an amazing picture of…

Pride.

Nebuchadnezzar, even though he was previously warned, still took the glory of his kingdom onto himself. And his bragging is so obvious, it makes it a perfect lesson for children or adults:

Daniel 4:30

30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (ESV)

Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t even done talking, and God immediately judged him:

Daniel 4:31

31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, (ESV)

The king had been warned this would happen, and God even gave him a full 12 months to repent. But not only did he not repent, but even with his kingdom taken away, he refused to relent for seven full years…

Daniel 4:32

32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” (ESV)

To God alone be the glory, or, in Latin, Soli Deo Gloria. Once Nebuchadnezzar realized this important truth in his heart, and pronounced it upon his lips, he was restored. And was he angry at God for this lesson? No, he continued to praise Him, and sent word of His glory to the other kings:

Daniel 4:34-37

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (ESV)