A Part to Every Soldier

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A Part to Every Soldier

In most countries,  it has been a custom  since the beginning of armies,  that soldiers get to take part of the spoils.      That’s how it was  when Jesus was crucified.      In John 19:23-25, we read,

The soldiers therefore,  when they had crucified Jesus,  took His outer garments and made four parts,  a part to every soldier  and also the tunic;  now the tunic was seamless,  woven in one piece.

They said therefore to one another,  “Let us not tear it,  but cast lots for it,  to decide whose it shall be; “that the Scripture might be fulfilled,  “They divided My outer garments among them,  and for My clothing  they cast lots.”      Therefore the soldiers did these things.

The dividing of Jesus’ outer garments  and casting lots  for His tunic  was prophesied by King David  in Psalm 22:18.      That would be approximately a thousand years  before it actually happened.      Happenstance?      Hardly!      Both the prophecy and the fulfillment speak  of both dividing garments  and casting lots for clothing.      Such details do not get fulfilled  by accident.      Plus, all of Psalm 22  gives various prophecies  about Jesus’ crucifixion.      It was all fulfilled  in Jesus Christ.

The four soldiers had no clue  that they were fulfilling prophecies.      They only knew that they wanted their fair share  of the loot.      But,  Jesus’ mother and disciples were nearby watching.      One can only imagine  how they felt watching the soldiers’ greed.      It was a travesty  that further broke their hearts.

But,  it was the fulfillment of prophecy.

The New Testament gives more prophecies  that will be fulfilled  as Judgment Day nears.      Many various happenings today can possibly be seen  as at least a partial fulfilling  of some of those prophecies.      We don’t know when that hour will come,  but Jesus tells us  in Luke 12:40,

You too,  be ready;  for the Son of Man is coming  at an hour  that you do not expect.

Because God was able  to fulfill His prophecies  in the minutest details  concerning the Christ,  we can be very sure  that He is able  to keep all of His promises  for the end times.      Our only question needs to be, “Is my heart ready  to meet the Lord today?”      Tomorrow may be too late.

We cannot make anyone else live for God,  but we can ask our Lord  to strengthen us  in His truths and love,  so that our hearts  will be ready to meet Him.      That is a prayer He will answer.

As we rejoice  in our Lord and His salvation,  we say, “Hallelujah!      Lord,  Your love and faithfulness  have been proven  down through the ages.      Make us strong  in faith,  hope,  and love,  that we might be ready  for Your second coming.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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