2011 A.D.: Our God-given Breastplate of Righteousness
Do you see the sternum, and behind, it at the top of the sternum, the trachea and the thyroid cartilage and gland? Do they not combine to form a figure that looks like a crucified king of sorts? Imagine that just above the xiphoid process at the bottom you see the bent knees of the figure, such that the lower legs of the figure are not seen because they extend straight backwards, such that only the feet are seen beneath the sharply bent knees. The image is 'held up' by 12 pairs of ribs, just as the ministry of Jesus was held forward to humanity by 12 apostles.
Some people are aware that humans sometimes have 11 pairs of ribs and sometimes have 13. It is fairly common. More than 1% in each case. So, it is not all that rare in either case. Why does that matter? Well, there were sometimes only 11 Apostles, as when Judas betrayed Jesus, then committed suicide. And sometimes there were 13 Apostles, such as when Matthias was chosen by the drawing of the lot to replace Judas, and then Paul later became the Apostle to the Gentiles, bringing the total number of Apostles to 13.
And the thyroid cartilage is where the human vocal cords are fitted, so from one perspective it is this 'crowned kingly head' in our throat that is doing the speaking when a person speaks their words, whether they are the holy Words of God from the scriptures, or profane words as when the person is angry, or ordinary speech. It certainly sheds a new light on cursing or coarse speech if you think of it this way. It is as if we are making this possible emulation of our Lord Jesus pour forth profane utterances.
Click on thumbnail below if you wish to see a more adaptable image.
You can argue this and argue that, but whoever or whatever made us (and I am without doubt it was God the Father with Jesus standing beside Him) put something that looks strikingly like a crucified Jesus right on our 'breastplate' and extending partially up into the lower anterior of our neck.
The scriptures tell us to 'Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and..." Eph 6:14
And in another place scripture assures us of this: "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." Isaiah 64: 6
And the entire New Testament combines to assure us that unless we have the righteousness of Jesus applied to us, we will not have the ability to enter heaven. So...is there any anatomical hint that this Jesus really is that Breastplate of Righteousness that is spoken of? Is the crucified Son of God really that same Jesus that the Christians believe is the Messiah and Saviour? Yes, I think so. I believe our anatomy speaks for itself on this matter. I believe it proclaims that Jesus the King really has won the victory that man could not and still cannot win for himself. See what you think by clicking on the thumbnail image below.
