On Sunday morning, Rev. James MacIver preached on John 19:34, in which the author tells of what happened when the soldier pierced Christ’s side following His death on the cross.

We know from the passage that the crucifixion took place on the day preceding the Sabbath, which was also to be a feast day, or ‘high day’. Consequently, those overseeing matters at Calvary wished to have the business in hand concluded well before the Sabbath would begin. The soldiers were, therefore, permitted to break the legs of those hanging on the crosses in order to hasten the moment of their death.

It is a point worth lingering over and putting to ourselves that they did not for one moment scruple over the killing of our Lord in the person of Jesus, but were very concerned that they should not in any way break the Sabbath.

However,this is what took place, as John is at pains to have us understand: his is a true and faithful eyewitness account. It is also one of the last gospels to be written and we can, therefore, take it as John’s mature reflections on this most momentous of days.

Jesus was already dead and His bones were not broken, which was in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. However, for reasons that we do not fully understand, the soldier saw fit to pierce His side with a spear and, we are told, blood and water gushed forth. Although in many ways this was an outrageous abuse of the Saviour’s body, Christians today can be thankful to God that He has used this act to speak through John of the spiritual significance of water and blood.

Mr MacIver outlined their importance in three ways.

First of all, the pouring out of water and blood was an irrefutable proof that there was no life in Jesus’ body any longer. This was important because, in John’s day, there were various heresies, including the docetist heresy, that stated He had not had a truly human body, only the appearance of one. Further, some said that He had therefore not died a true death and, by extension, His was not a true resurrection. John’s emphatic reportage of this incident, however, underlines the fact that Jesus had died.

The trustworthiness of Scripture is such that, through writers like John, we are brought back to Calvary as it were, and receive a full and faithful illustration of what took place there.

This nameless and thoughtless soldier can have had no idea how significant his actions would be to future believers. Had it not been for him, it would not have been possible for Thomas to put his hand into Christ’s side, nor for John to use the illustration of water and blood to such good effect. Its appearance as a result of what the soldier did, was tantamount to Christ saying, “I did indeed die and mine was a real resurrection’.

It is this we receive at the Lord’s Supper – the assurance of Christ’s finished work on our behalf. The truth of this is for those who look on as witnesses, as well as for those who are seated at the table. For this reason, it is important for the whole congregation to attend.

Secondly, blood and water are present symbolically throughout the Old Testament. The sacrificial blood represented the coming death of Jesus Christ for sinners; and the water represented the cleansing which attends upon that sacrifice. It can be said, therefore, that these elements correspond to our justification and our sanctification through Christ.

Notice that, throughout scripture, the idea of atonement for sin is never far removed from its effect – the cleansing of sin. Therefore, in passages like 1 John: 5:6, we see the significance of these words ‘this is He who came by water and blood’. There are three things to note here:

- ‘came by’ implies that this was the essential medium through which His mission was accomplished;

- ‘Blood’ tells us that it was Jesus’ death and not His life (though exemplary)which made reparation for our sins;

- ‘By water’ tells us of actual moral and spiritual cleansing

Mr MacIver quoted from the well-known hymn, 'Rock of Ages':

'Rock of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.'

Thirdly, and finally, he spoke of the direct connection to the Lord's Supper. Again, in 1 John 5:7 - 8, blood and water are described as 'witnesses'. This is meant in the sense of them being ongoing witnesses in the work of the Holy Spirit. He brings believers to know forgiveness and cleansing.

The Lord's Supper is not primarily for Christians to witness to Jesus Christ, but is, rather, first and foremost a channel of His grace. Here it is that we receive a greater assurance of all that He is and all He has done on our behalf. It is imperative for all to be there and those who sit at the table are not, in fact, saying anything about themselves by partaking.

What they are doing is taking to, and for, themselves the benefits of Jesus Christ's death.

In closing, Mr MacIver quoted the hymn writer, Frances J Crosby:

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,

To Thy precious, bleeding side.

If that is your prayer, he told the congregation, then your place is at the Lord's table because there is nowhere else closer to Jesus' pierced side.