This belief finds its roots in John 19:34, a verse that provides a unique physiological, medical insight into the death of Jesus':
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
This verse prompts a closer examination of the physiological aspects of Jesus' crucifixion. Unlike a typical wound, when the soldier's spear pierced Jesus, both blood and water flowed forth. This detail, as recorded by John, is pivotal.
Consider this: if the water did not originate from Jesus' stomach due to dehydration from his prolonged torture, where did it come from? The logical deduction is that it was the result of blood settling, with red blood cells separating from the plasma. This separation creates the appearance of both blood and water flowing, as John attested.
It is crucial to understand that this phenomenon couldn't have occurred in the stomach, as the thrust of the soldier's spear was directed upwards, beneath Jesus' ribcage. Therefore, it is safe to assume that no water was present in the lungs or other organs.
The answer lies in the heart. The pericardial sac, a membrane surrounding the heart, typically contains a small amount of fluid to cushion this vital organ. However, when the heart is traumatised or inflamed, such as in the case of Jesus' crucifixion, extra fluid can accumulate in the pericardium. When the heart ruptures, blood fills the pericardial sac, where it subsequently separates from the plasma.
I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint;My heart is like wax;It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.
The sac around His heart was filed up with water (pericardial fluid) because the water and the blood had separated a result of the tremendous stress His heart endured. The blood become so thick inside of His heart that Jesus didn't die of suffocation (asphyxiation), but of a broken heart when He took the sins and sickness of the entire world on Him.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows;Yet we esteemed Him stricken,Smitten by God, and afflicted.5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
The significance of this manner of death lies in its purpose: Jesus was redeeming our hearts to prepare a place for us. In John 14:1, He assures us:
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
Today, regardless of what your heart has endured, Jesus has purchased wholeness for you. As stated in John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Sorrow is consequence of both sin and a fallen world, inevitably affects us. Only Jesus can navigate this fallen world without being tainted by it. He offers you a whole heart, a dwelling place for Him.
Consider the enormity of Jesus' love. He willingly bore the weight of sin and pain, allowing His heart to break. This was the ultimate act of selflessness, enabling us to overcome the very things that caused His heart to break. This is the depth of His love for you.
In His sacrifice, He secured a future of eternity with Him. Reflect on the magnitude of this love, and let it inspire you to live whole-heartedly, knowing that Christ Jesus has purchased a whole heart for us. And it blows my mind when I really think about it…..about how much pain and agony is in the world that was placed in Him, all for the simple reason of Him justifying us through this selfless act of love that we might be conquerors over everything that caused Him to die of a broken heart.
This is how much He loves you. It is the nature and love of Jesus Christ. He has literally sacrificed His body and heart that we might have life with Him for eternity.