Dendrological Details Matter

The last two weeks we’ve been looking at familiar stories in the Gospel of John, slowing down and zooming in on small details that we might typically breeze past in our Bible reading. When we read the Word of God like archaeologists and detectives, we’ll discover hidden treasures on every page!

I want to do that one more time, perhaps with the most familiar story of all: the Crucifixion of Christ.

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30)

If you have the cross-reference option turned on in your digital Bible, you will see that Jesus’ declaration of thirst is linked back to Psalm 69:21: 

“They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.”

That itself is remarkable, that in his final moments of unthinkable, excruciating pain, Jesus would fulfill an Old Testament prophecy. In the same way, how amazing is it that the Psalmist would pen the precise details of the future salvation of the world?

These prophecy-fulfilling connections are all throughout Scripture—across 66 books, penned by 40 different authors, written in three languages, and spanning thousands of years. That evidence alone is worthy of entrusting your life to this Book.

But that’s not even what I want to highlight today. It’s the word hyssop.

Why in the world would John include what type of branch the soldiers put the sponge on? He’s not a dendrologist (a scientist who studies trees and other woody plants and shrubs). If we were in the crowd of horrified and terrified onlookers with the disciples, I don’t think I would be casually jotting down observant notes like that.

But when your writing is inspired by the Sovereign, Savior, Creator of the universe, dendrological details do matter.

John knew exactly what he was writing. With this detail, he is declaring Jesus to be the Passover Lamb from Exodus 12.“Kill the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood […] When he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you” (12:21-23).

The Bible confronts us with the spiritual reality that there is a deeper form of slavery than the historical slavery that Israel had experienced. This slavery is infinitely more tragic and causes infinitely more suffering to God’s people than what God’s people experience in bondage in Egypt.

This deeper slavery is the slavery of every heart of every human being to sin. None can escape its captivity. It’s sobering and discouraging. But with this word hyssop, the Bible is also encouraging us that Jesus is the final Passover Lamb.

The bad news all of us must face is that sin enslaves us all. The Good News is that Jesus is the Passover Lamb who has purchased our freedom and our forgiveness.

When he was thirsty and drank sour wine from a sponge on a hyssop branch, he fulfilled the prophecy and broke the enslaving power of sin, purchasing forgiveness for all who would trust in him by his death on the Cross.

And how do you deepen your trust in Christ? By reading his Word every day and paying attention to the beautiful details he included on every page!

P.S. – our free teaching series, Mining for Treasure, will encourage you to read the Bible every day, slow down and zoom in on the details, and find Jesus on every page. The three lessons and study guide are available to stream and download entirely free at PaulTripp.com/Treasure

A Prayer for Today: God, when your Word includes details that highlight and magnify the importance and beauty of Jesus and his work to save sinners like me, I’m so grateful that you have opened my eyes and helped me slow down to see the treasure of Scripture. Thank you for the Passover Lamb who has rescued me from the sin that exists in the world and inside me. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude because of your kindness and generosity toward me. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

God bless,

Paul Tripp

Discussion Prompt for Children

• What do you think the word “prophesy” means? Why would it be important to know that Jesus fulfilled prophesy from the Old Testament?

• Why do you think it’s important that Jesus received sour wine from a hyssop branch?

• Jesus was called the “Passover Lamb.” What do you think that means? Why is that name important to you and me today?

Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think it’s important to remember that the Old Testament and the New Testament are connected to one another via things like fulfilled prophesy about Jesus? Why should that matter to you today?

2.Why do you think details are so important within Scripture? In the past, how have you missed significant details that highlight the importance of Christ, his death, and resurrection? If you can remember them, what were some of those important details you missed?

3. Why is spiritual slavery infinitely more tragic than any other form of slavery? Take a moment to remember and write down your story about how God freed you from spiritual slavery through Jesus. Now re-read over those personal details from your life and pray and thank God for his grace in rescuing you from spiritual bondage.

4. What are some specific ways that you could deepen your trust in Christ? By your day-to-day actions, what do you think someone would say you valued the most by seeing how you live?

5. How is God’s Word an integral part of your life? If it isn’t, what specific changes can you make to value and treasure his Word more deeply?