The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: John 19:31-33
Breaking the legs of the victims of crucifixion hastened their death. With the legs intact, the crucified individual could continue to push his body upward in order to breathe thus prolonging his life. With the legs broken the victim could no longer support or push his body upward to catch a breath, thus hastening death by suffocation. By the breaking of the legs the only means to continue to live is removed.
Scripture teaches that the issues of life stem from the heart. Jesus taught that what comes from the mouth comes from the heart. Jeremiah instructed us that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it.
The author of Proverbs admonishes us over and over to write on the tablet of one’s heart the Word of God and to keep one’s heart with all diligence. It is impossible to do this with a heart in rebellion to God. It is impossible to do this with a heart that justifies itself. A broken heart is one that can no longer justify its sin. A broken heart is one that can no longer support its natural state of rebellion to God. A broken heart is one that has given up all support of self-justification. A broken heart is one that has accepted the verdict of guilty before God. A broken heart is one that is ready to trust Jesus Christ and His merit alone as one’s only hope of salvation.
The God of Scripture is the God who justifieth (declares righteous) the guilty. Messiah Jesus took our sins upon Himself so that we may receive within ourselves the righteousness of God.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21