సాక్ష్యం 11. Malachi - He tackled the problems of robbing, God’s religious corruption
and fear of the Lord.
Though they are treated as Minor Prophets whatever they dealt with two Millennia ago, their words and thoughts speak volumes even today. In fact, there are some relevant portions of Hosea Amos and Micah for us today. For instance Hosea tells the sinful Jewish pagan worshippers of Israelites of Northern kingdom.
“Hear the words of the Lord, ye children of Israel. For the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and community adultery they break out and blood toucheth blood”. (Hosea
4.1-2)
Amos also felt the inequities in the life of ancient Israelites, and wrote these lines “Ye that put far away the evil day and cause the seat of violence to come near.That lie upon the beds of ivory and stretch themselves upon their couches and eat lambs out of the flock and calves out of the midst of stall. That chant to the sound of viol and invent to themselves instrument of music like Davis. That drink wine in bowels and anoint themselves with chief ointments but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph” (that is Northern Israel). (Amos 6.3-6)
It seems some of the above mentioned passages may require a little creative interpretation we can imagine, “beds of ivory” can become “kings sized beds with satin sheets”, “eat the lambs and calves” can be treated as “George ourselves in the most expensive food” and chant to the sound of the viol (a stringed instrument) can be read as, we surrounded ourselves with one computer, flat serums, smart phones and a variety of entertainments. Practically speaking there is nothing wrong in enjoying the provision of god inheritently. What Amos wanted to say actually through this wonderful passage was that he was more worried for the people, who were living lavishly by remaining far away from God, and God was not punishing such people for their grievous sin and corruption. According to Amos the ancient Israelites of his time enjoyed their lives luxuriously like the present people.
The next prophet, Micah who lives in the same period of Hosea, wanted to express his mind, “woe to them that devise inequity and work evil upon their beds when the morning is light, they practice it because it is in the power of their hand. As they covet fields and take them by violence and houses and take them away. So, they oppress a man and his house even a man his heritage. (Micah 1-2)
In fact, what is said by Micah in the above lines regarding wickedness and inequity, we can find them around us today. Hosea, Amos and Micah lived about 2,800 years ago, but what was written by them about the way of the life of Israelites was simply echoing in the present day society. Their wonderful messages even touch our hearts and souls as if they are fresh warning to all believers to repent for the first time. It may be good to apply some of the lessons of the minor prophets to our daily lives; but let us not compare much the ancient life of Israelites with the modern countries like America and mess the historical and prophetic implications.
Israel was a “covenant” nation which means she and God had an argument on certain things and God would bless the nation if the people remain obedient to Him, if not punish them. When we want to look into the books and the contents, we must keep in mind the time, when those books were written and other conditions at that time. So, basing on the environmental position, Amos wrote his book. Amos really condemned those people who without mind wished for the easy way of living; while all around them and their nation is boiling in a cauldron of sin. But one thing we have to remember in this context that is the words. Sentences would not give the idea of modern life. So, it is better if the reading must read the passages slowly and thoughtfully to get the inner meaning of the passages of the prophets contained. Whether the meaning of them has any reference to the present day life or whether the passages have relation with our life or whether God wanted to say anything concerning our life or whether there are any important Prophetic complications for the future life of Israelites. The words of the passage may appear strange, but the passage is a current as if it is written just at that time.
Let us continue our looking into the passages of other Minor Prophets of Israel. As a matter of fact, the books contain very less number of pages and do not require more time to go through them. If anybody likes the Bible, the inspired word of God, he will certainly find his pilgrimage into these fascinating and attractive landscapes which would provide intellectual food and other most interesting things which may change one’s life. HOSEA
Hosea means “Salvation”. His wrote his book in between 735 –710 B.C. Hosea was a contemporary of Amos, Micah and Isaiah. He showed his thoughts in his little book. The unfaithfulness of Israelites to God and their idol worship particularly the Canaanite fertility good Baal. Israel’s pride and depending on her own military powers as well as its alliances with other heathen nations made God to take some action on His people. God’s punishment His faithfulness and His redemption plan all these points wonderfully described by Hosea. Prophet Hosea started his ministry in the later part of very long reign of King Jeroboam of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. These two kingdoms experienced a wonderful progress in the field of sin, from the time of king Solomon.
But those progressive days had gone. The main reason for this change was nothing but spiritual adultery. That is, the Israelites of Northern kingdom became idol worshippers due to the influence of king Jeroboam. They followed the neighboring nations in that idol worship of heathen gods like fBaal. The sin committed by Israelites was beyond comprehension and God who had “birthed” the nation and raised it into a mighty people. God has been patient with His spiritually wandering children all the while, but now He lost all His patience. Then it became the duty and responsibility of Hosea to condemn the great sin of the Israelites and preach for repentance. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because thou host rejected knowledge, I will reject thou that thou shall be no priest to me seeing thou host forgotten the law of thy God. and I will also forget thy children”. (Hosea 4.6) For, I desired mercy and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6.6)
“Ye have planned wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity, ye have eaten the fruit of lies because thou didst, trust in thy way in the multitude of thy mighty men”. (Hosea 10.13) Some of the passages of Hosea had references in the New Testament also. Hosea 2.23 (Romans 9.25-28) Hosea 6.6 (Matthew 9.13; 12.7) Hosea 10.8 (Luke 23.30, Revelation 6.16) Hosea (Matthew 2.15) Hosea 13.14 (1 Corinthians 15.55)
The book of Hosea completely dealt with the life of Northern Israelites with full details.If we go back to the beginning of Israel’s history. God spoke to His chosen people through Moses the servant of God. “Turn ye not unto idols nor make to yourselves molten gods. I am the Lord your God”. (Leviticus 19.4) Again He said, “ye shall make you no idols nor grave image neither rear you up on standing image, neither shall ye set up any image id stone in your land to bow down unto it for I am the Lord your God”. God loved His people so much that He endured Israelites sin for centuries. But finally He lost all His patience. As a result He sent Hosea to remind them their doom was ahead.
Before we go deep into the message of Hosea, there is God’s shocking command to the prophet. God asked Hosea, “God take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms for the land hath committed a great whoredom departing from the Lord”. (Hosea 1.2). It is really very difficult to understand the plans of God, that He would instruct His people to marry a harlot or an adultery woman. In this context some scholars gave their opinion regarding Gomer Hosea’s wife. She married him as a chaste woman but later turned to commit adultery without earning for the importance of marriage. God used the life of Hosea as an example, to Israelites immorality and spiritual adultery. There is no reason to believe the story of Hosea and Gomer as the text gives no hints to this Their marriage was real. At the same time, we have to understand the pain or mental agony Hosea must have experienced in his heart.
The heartache of Hosea mirrored the heartache of the Lord caused by His people’s adultery way of life. We were not told correctly where Hosea made his prophecies but two or three were made at the followership market place of the city of Samaria particularly near the temple of Baal. The worship of Baal was a wicked thing and added to that the shrine prostitution was continued, which was most abominous to God. In that place men and women sexually engage themselves by paying money to the priests and priestesses for the purpose of granting the fertility god to grant them wishes. Their wishes were, for children, for abundant crop and good health. In such strange circumstances, Hosea was entrusted the responsibility by God to preach His word boldly to the Israelites who forgot the God of their forefathers and became blind with evil spirit. He started his message with thundering voice that there was no truth, no mercily nor the knowledge of God in that land. This is really a wonderful statement, how the Lord had taken a great pain to make Himself known to His own people. God had done so, by establishing the order of priests and Levities. He raised the prophets and started sacrificed system just for the purpose of the reflection of ugliness of sin (as demonstrated the slaughter of innocent animals).
God wanted to use the service of the prophets to bring change in the attitude of Israelites to look toward seeking mercy and forgiveness for their unlimited transgressions. Since the minds of Israelites over powered by the idol worship, the knowledge of God had vanished from their minds that is, they completely forgot about the heavenly father. As they disowned God, they fell into grievous sin. Their other activities were like swearing, lying, stealing, killing, blood toucheth bloodshed upon bloodshed, and physical adultery. (Hosea 4.2)
God with all His patience continued to rule firmly. Even then, when they went out of control in their day to day life. He had to take some steps to control them. He wanted to correct them but prior to that He wanted to warn them. In the 5th chapter prophet Hosea accused Israelites for indulging themselves too much in idolatry Again in the 6th chapter, he encouraged them to seek God with repentance. The prophet gave Israelites even some words to say, “for he hath torn for he will heal us he hath smitten and he would blind us up”. (Hosea 6.1)
Unfortunately, the Israelites of 740 B.C had forgotten totally the word “god” itself. This condition gave chance to God to inflict some punishment on them. God said, “woe unto them for they have fled from me, destruction unto the, because they have transgressed against me, though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken his against me”. (Hosea 7.13) There is still time for Northern Israelites to repent. In chapter 8 God again reminded them of their crimes and wished to postpone the punishment. God had proclaimed and gave to the people of Israel every opportunity to repent. Prophet Hosea also declared “ I have written to him (Israel) the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing”. (Hosea 8.12) To say correctly it is as if the Lord is saying, I have graciously given you, My just good and righteous law, but you disdain it. You choose evil over good, dark over light, death over life. The saddest commentary of the entire book is the indictment of Israel in 8.14. for Israel hath forgotten her maker.
So as to change the mind of Israelites and turn them toward him. God had decided to check them and inflict with simple punishment and the nature of it was on the nation’s economy and daily diet that is reduction prove disastrous. This could not change the attitude of Israelites, because they became hard nuts to crack. Even then, when people would go too far astray in their sin. God set in and pull on the reigns for controlling, but never without first warning. Such was the position Israelites at that time. So Hosea said, “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye reaped inequity, ye have eaten the fruit of lies, because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men”. (Hosea 10.13)
All of sudden the Lord amazingly revealed Himself and His tender heart toward His a people He knew He had to judge His people severely but it is unfortunate. “How shall I give thee up Ephraim?” (Ephraim is author name for Northern kingdom) how shall I deliver thee Israel? My heart is turned within me, my repentances and kindled together. (Hosea 11.8) In spite of the Lord’s impassioned argument, the children of God would not listen to him. Instead of remaining obedient to the Almighty God they committed more and more unpardonable sins. They began to worship the molten images made of themselves according to their own understanding. The father’s argument became futile and unchecked by His evil children.
The Lord could not help but bring His people from the wrong track into the correct way. He would follow their chastisement and take it upon Himself to achieve the noble work of forgiveness and restoration. He says about His wandering but beloved children, “I will heal their backsliding; I will love them truly, for mine anger is turned away from him (Israel) (Hosea 14.4). Hosea tried his best by all means to change the stiff necked Israelites but in vain. He did not find even an iota of the spirit of repentance. His impassioned messages could not meet the hardened hearts of those people. In the Northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C and took many of them as exits, and many other fled to different places in fear. That is to say God handed overthem to pagan Assyrian rulers as a punishment. Perhaps after this tragedy the identity of Israelites was almost forgotten, and a few people out of which came the Samaritans. So to say the Samaritans were cross breed of pagan Assyrians and some Israelite women. That is the reason why the Jews used to book down up on the Samaritans whenever they come across.
Let us think for a while how far the little book of Hosea influenced our day to day life apart from the life of Israelites of Northern kingdom, particularly regarding our sin. Some passages from that book suggest us to take some haste steps to control our sin, through the power of Jesus Christ. If we commit sin at any unguarded moments, God would certainly forgive us, if we go to Him and pray with repentance and broken heart. The kind of life was led by Israelites during the time of Hosea could be seen at present in some of the advanced countries like America. So, what is the moral we can pick up through this episode. What we need urgently is not to think much about the material things, but to spare more time to think about God and our salvation; because we have to live with Him forever after our death.
We are like travelers in this material world and reach our destination finally, which us heaven. We can achieve anything with constant prayer and with this we can become closer to God. Though there are some people still obedient to God, their number is also decreasing from time to time, because of the advanced technology and luxurious life. So what was said by Hosea about 2,700 years ago, in connection with the life of Israelites, was quite conspicuous among the people of some countries today He said, “.................There is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God, in the land” (Hosea 4.1) “My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him”. (Hosea 9.17)
God made Hosea a distinguished person among the other Miner Prophets. He introduced into the personal life of Hosea by commanding him to marry “a wife of whoredom” (1.2) there is no doubt that Gomer’s past adulterous life caused him heartbreaking. But in the same proportion God strengthened Hosea to stand boldly. There was a controversial opinion of some scholars about the birth of three children to Gomer. They pointed out that the first child “Jezrech” was a true son of Hosea born to Gomer. But the other two children, Lo Ruhamah a daughter and Lo Ammi a son were born to her in her adulterous life not to Hosea. In such circumstances God gave another shocking command to Hosea, “Go yet love a woman, beloved of her friend (a lover) yet an adulterous according to the love of God, toward His children. Just as God loved His children Israelites, though they were wicked, He loves us also. He always thinks about us only for repentance and live a life of spirituality.
Through the message of Hosea we find the obedient and merciful love of God toward His people. Let us hope, God will certainly continue His love toward Israelites and in future forgive them. God will also love all of us by forgiving all our sins; God is always inviting us with His stretched arms of forgiveness and redemption. Chapter : 5
SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS
Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross on Friday two thousand years ago. After the crucifixion this day was called “Black Friday” for two centuries, then it became God’s Friday, and now we call it “Good Friday”. The Franciscan church members in Jerusalem used to go in a procession to Golgotha, a place of skull even today by singing songs. Jesus was put on the cross by His own people (Jews) with some false allegations. This cross was first invented by Phoenician tribe and it was used maximum by Emperor Nero, one of the Fifty Four Roman Emperors. The purpose of this cross punishment was that the Roman used to enjoy themselves the long suffering of any victim on the cross. But this cross punishment was abolished permanently by Emperor Constantine, after he became the emperor to the Eastern part of Roman Empire which was also called Byzantine empire and today we call it modern Turkey. The significance of Good Friday is, one man, two wooden pieces, three nails, four Gospels, five wounds, six hours and seven words.
One may meditate on the passion of Christ by reflecting on His seven words on the cross, or by a devotion known as the way of the cross. The religious pilgrimages were stopped to the Holy land due to military occupation of Jerusalem during the middle Ages, a popular devotion known as the way of the cross during “Lent Season” the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. The way Jesus Christ walked with the cross on His shoulders was called via dolorosa which means “the way of sorrow” and it was divided into fourteen stations of the cross. THEY ARE...
1)Pontius Pilot condemned Jesus to death.
2)Jesus took up His cross.
3)He fell down for the first time.
4)Jesus met His sorrowful mother Mary.
5)Simon helped to carry His cross.
6)Veronica cleaned the face of Jesus Christ with a piece of cloth.
7)Jesus fell down for the second time.
8)Jesus controlled the women of Jerusalem.
9)Jesus fell down for the third time.
10)Jesus was stripped off His clothes by Roman Soldiers.
11)Jesus was nailed to the cross.
సాక్ష్యం 12. Jesus Christ died on the cross.
13)He was taken down from the cross.
14)He was laid in the tomb. THE SEVEN WORDS CHRIST SPOKE ON THE CROSS ARE...
1)“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”. (Luke23.34)
This is a word of Forgiveness.
2)“Truly I say unto you, today you will be with me in paradise”. (Luke
23.43) This is the word of Salvation.
3)Woman, Behold your son, Behold your mother (John 19.26-27) the
word of relationship.
4)My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27.46; Mark
15.34) it means Abandonment.
5)I thirst, it speaks about Distress. (John 19.28)
6)It is finished (John 19.29-30) word of reunion.
7)Father into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23.46) the word of
Triumph.
If we look into the list mentioned above, we can understand that all the seven words are not written in one Gospel, regarding His crucifixion. They are from the four Gospels. In the Gospels Matthew and Mark Jesus is quoted in the Aramaic language. Then in Luke’s Gospel we can find the first, the second and the seventh words. The third fifth and sixth are in the Gospel of John.
1) THE FIRST WORD FROM THE CROSS: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23.34)
According to the traditions the first word on the cross is called “The word of Forgiveness”. Jesus prayed to His father God for the forgiveness of all those who were really responsible for crucifying Him. What made the Jews to kill their own man Jesus on the cross? There are three sects among the Jews. The first one is called Orthodox Jews who gave more importance to Torah and the five books of Prophet Moses called “Pentateuch”. They have another sacred book “Talmud” which they followed more. They believed in Monotheism which means one God. They taught their children also to say, “O Israel our Lord is God, our God is one”. The Jews were with such mental setup at that time, when Jesus was sent by God Father to this world with some purpose. God sent Jesus to fulfill three purposes. They were to heal the sick, to spread the word of God and to sacrifice His life to redeem the sinners of the world. Then in His teachings and preaching’s. He used to say He was the Son of God, He was the Messiah whatever He said it is not His words but the word of his father God. Such kind of saying made the Jews angry and called Him a Blasphemer. They framed some more false allegations and he was finally taken to the cross.
Pontius Pilot seemed to have tried three times to save Jesus, but in vain. He did not say even a single word, at the time of His trial. Finally the Roman soldiers put Him on the cross and nailed Him. Then He was h anging between heaven and the earth. The cross of Jesus Christ is the corner stone for Christian Faith. With unimaginable pain and woozing of blood. He looked around; he saw the Roman soldiers nearest to the cross and casting lots of His cloths. He saw the teachers who hated Him. He saw the priests, who bought Jesus for 30 silver pieces from His traitor disciple Judas Iscoriot. He saw the fickle minded crowd, that once shouted on palm Sunday, Hosanna to the son of David, while He was entering the city of Jerusalem. The same crowd now shouting crucify Him. He saw His disciples at a distance, who walked with Him, who were with Him for three years now deserted Him, and trying to disown Him. They could not make a simple protest at least for the protest sake in favour of their rabbini. He remembered the part played by Pontius pilot and king Herod also.
Why all the people were against Jesus at that time because they were made blind by the power of evil and corrupted by sin. They wanted to join their hands with Satan and attack violently the purity and Holiness of God. They lost their rational thinking. Their minds became blunt. They did not realize the importance of crucifixion. They did not understand the value of His blood. They did not understand the power of resurrection. Christ understood all this. He pitied them. He had compassion for them. Then He prayed to God, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”. While praying He declared His relationship with God by calling Him father. Then, He prayed an unselfish prayer. He did not say from the cross “I will forgive you”. But He gave priority to His father God. He prayed to His father for forgiveness of the Roman soldiers. He prayed to His father for the forgiveness of the preachers and teachers that ill-treated Him. He prayed for the fickle minded multitude. He prayed for His disciples. Finally He prayed for all those who were responsible for His crucifixion, and He prayed for our individual forgiveness also.
If we look into the Bible the first Christian martyr was Stephen. We all know he was stoned to death miserably. Before his death, he prayed to God, “Lord do not hold this sin against them”. Perhaps he wanted to pray to God to forgive them though they were killing him. In 1 John 1.9 it is said, “If we confess our sins before God, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness. In Mark 11.26 it is said, “If we forgive our trespassers. The father in heaven will forgive us our trespassers”. Once Peter asked Jesus whether he should forgive the sins of his brother seven times. Jesus replied, he should forgive a sinner not seven times, but seventy times and seven. (Matthew 18.22). With this information and the references from the Bible, we can understand the theme of this topic “Forgiveness”. So on this good Friday the gift of the cross is forgiveness. The cross of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone for Christian faith. Forgiveness is the Hallmark of Christianity. Forgiveness is the most requisite qualification for a true Christian. So, let us keep the cross on our shoulders and walk on the narrow path of forgiveness toward salvation. Let us be practical minded in observing forgiveness in our daily life.
2) “TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE” (LUKE 23.43)
Jesus said these words to the criminal, who was hanging on the right side, of Him. Truly, I say unto you, today you will be with me in “paradise”. This word is called traditionally “The word of salvation”. Salvation was granted to the criminal who repented at the last minute. Jesus was brought to Golgotha and put on the cross. Many people gathered there like, the proud, the unrighteous the scoffers and the mockers. Jesus was hanging between two criminals namely “Dismas and Gertas”. The right side criminal spoke with Jesus with open heart. He confessed his sin and his unworthiness.
Martin Luther a reformist said, “In the garden Jesus was comforted by an angel but on the cross by a murderer, who was hanging beside Him. God allowed His son to be comforted by a criminal. There was joy in heaven over the repentance of that sinner. Though he spent all his life, in crimes, he was rewarded a great reward, for all his criminal deeds. As a matter of fact, that thief never heard of God or Scriptures or never attended any church in his life. He knew nothing about Christian way of life. Yet he turned toward Jesus, and asked to remember him when he would go to His kingdom. Protestant Christians may use this statement “Today you will be with me in paradise”. These words give the assurance of direct voyage to heaven. But catholic would find more stress, “I say today you shall be with me in paradise”. This expression shows that the statement is made today, and his going to heaven may be later.
While Jesus was hanging on the cross, the Roman soldiers and priests mocked at Him, and the criminal hanging at His left mocked at Him. The right side criminal understood Jesus correctly, and said Jesus was an innocent man and nothing wrong He has done. He had wonderful faith on Jesus and became a repentant sinner. He proved himself far better than doubting Thomas one of His disciples. Jesus forgot His pain at that time and repented with love and mercy. “You will be with me in paradise”. He showed the thief His divine power by opening heaven. He showed His generosity who asked only to remember him. This simple expression would give us hope for salvation, if we turn our hearts to Jesus.
If at all there is any commentary on the fact, that salvation is by grace though faith without deeds of law here is one. The gift of salvation is not earned but it is given. Jesus said to the penitent thief, “Verily, I say unto thee. Today thou shall be with me in paradise”. Today he is with Jesus in paradise. The death of saints is really a blessed one. The breath, and depth of the grace of God, is very great. Let us not think seriously or wonder how this evil man could be shown such grace; But let us think God, that grace is so rich even it includes the murderer.
3) BEHOLD YOUR SON, BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER (JOHN 19.26-27) :
Jesus saw His own mother Mary and beloved disciple John standing near whom He loved most. He said to His mother “woman behold your son”. Then He said to His disciple John “Behold your mother”. And John from that hour onwards took His mother into his family. The traditional meaning of this word into his family “The word of Relationship”. After Jesus put His mother in the care of John He became free and now hanging on the cross between heaven and earth. Then with unbearable pain and woozing of blood, He looked around. He saw only John and the others were standing at a distance trying to hide themselves from the presence of Jesus. He was kept on the cross almost naked, suffering from severe pain. Even in that condition He thought about the welfare of His mother after His death. This word, “Behold your son, Behold your mother” shows the humanity of Jesus and the depth of His love toward His mother.
Jesus and Mary were together at the beginning of His ministry in Cana; and now at the end of His public ministry at the foot of the cross. He refered her as a woman at the wedding feast of Cana (1 John 2.1-11) and in this passage. He recalled the woman in Genesis 3.15 the first messianic prophecy of the redeemer and the anticipating woman clothed with the sun in Revelation 12. There were four people at the foot of the cross at that time. They were Mary mother of Jesus. John His beloved disciple, Mary Clopes his mother’s sister, and Mary Magdalene. St. Joseph was not noticeable in that arena of the crucifixion. The historical paintings of Tondodoni by Michelangelo and the Holy family by Raphael suggest that Joseph was normally an old man or he must have died already by the time. Jesus was put on the cross. But it became a controversial point to discuss, whether Mary’s husband was alive at the time of the crucifixion or whether Mary had other children along with Jesus.
The sound of evil voices mocked at her son, and the other insults Jesus faces, touched the heart of His mother. The prophecy of Simeon who said And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary, His mother, “Behold this child is set for fall and rising again at many in Israel and for a sign, which shall be spoken against (yea a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the truth of many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2.24-35). The name “Mary” means “bitter” by standing near the cross Mary tasted the bitterness of her helplessness as a mother. She wanted to save her son from such calamities, but in vain. She also tried to suffer on behalf of her son, that also became impossible Jesus did not forget His mother till the last minute. He provided another son to take care of her till the last days. He was John, his disciple. Jesus called His mother woman, and not mother because He wanted her think of Him, in relation to His atonement, rather than in a narrow thinking of family relationship. Mary understood the mind of her son and went to John to stay with him. The persecution continued even after the death of Jesus and so both John and Mary went to Ephesus and settled there permanently.
4) MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? (MATTHEW 227.46)
Jesus shouted around the ninth hour in a loud voice saying, “Eli Eli lama Sabachthanic” which means My God, my God why have you forsaken me. This is in (Mark 15.34). this is the only word that appeared in more than one Gospel and King David called (Psalms 22.1). This word was considered by some commentators as an abandonment of son by the Father (God). Some theologians have understood the cry of Jesus on the cross was really the cry of human who felt he was forsaken. He was put to death by His own people. He was left by His father and also deserted by His disciples, who walked with Him, and ate with Him for three years were now hiding themselves to avoid hm. Though they walked with Jesus, ate with Him and slept with Him, were now forgot Him completely and behaved as strangers. He who died at Golgotha was one with the Father that God was in Christ and at the same time He cried out the Father.
The time was ninth hour means three O’ clock in Judea. This cry was from the painful heart of the human Jesus Christ, who must havefelt, he was deserted by the father the Holy Spirit, and the earthly companions the Apostles. So, He felt helplessness in His loneliness and by the absence of his disciples He felt like that. They could not make a simple protest, at least for protest sake in favor of their Rabbinic. As all deserted Him, He had to face lonely death. Jesus completely left this human experience as we do and by doing so, He would free us from the cluches of sin.
The fourth word spoken on the cross would reflect the reality of the Father. He actually sent His son into this world to redeem us from our sin which has been continued from the time of our first parents Adam and Eve. So as to redeem us from our sin, Jesus was born spotless to virgin Mary. As true Christians, we in faith believe that the Father forsook His son in order that all who believe in Him might have daily assurance in life and at the time of death the Father will not forsake us. So, we must be always thankful to God, the Father, and to His son, the savior Jesus Christ; and to the Spirit for giving us the faith to be what is really beyond comprehension.
5) “I THIRST” (JOHN 4.19-28) :
Jesus Christ thought on the cross that all the issues were accomplished and the Scriptures might be fulfilled. Then He said, “I thirst”. This word is traditionally called, “The word of Distress”. This word is compared and contrasted with His meeting of Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob where He asked for water as He was thirsty. (John 4.4-26). Because He was hanging for a long time on the cross, and loosing of blood, and sweating, Jesus became dehydrated. He did not eat or drink anything after the last supper in the previous night. So, He was suffering from severe pain and thirsty. The Gospel writers said some one offered a drink to Jesus sour wine. But, John particularly said that a man placed a sponge dipped in wine on a hyssop branch and held it to the lips of Jesus. According to Biblical history, hyssop played very important role in the Old Testament and in the “book of Hebrews”. Only this fifth word Jesus spoke from the cross as the son of man, an ordinary human being, because of His intense physical suffering. He was shocked at the wounds inflicted on His body. His crowning of thorns on His head, and the nailing Him in the cross, caused severe pain prior to this He happened to walk for three hours with cross through the city of Jerusalem to the place of skul called Golgotha added more pain to the above said treatment. So in the 1 peter it is said, “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed”. (1 Peter 2.24)
It is said, “I am weary of my crying my throat is dried, mine eyes fail, while I wait for my God; And hide not thy face from thy servant for I am in trouble hear me speedly”. (Psalm 69.3) My soul thirsts for God for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalms 42.2) So, if we want to know the enormity of sin, we must sit at the foot of the cross, and then remember the above said words from Psalms. Those words are nothing but the reflection of the suffering of our Lord Jesus. When He was offered to drink of myth and gall. He refused to receive it. That clearly shows, He was in full control of Himself, and in His senses to drink the cup of suffering to its fullest. With that only, He thought He could satisfy the demands of the law which pronounced death upon the sinner.
Had Jesus suffered less than that the fallen man of sin would have been still under the same threat of the condemnation of eternal death, with all its indescribable horror and suffering to the maximum and paid the required price of penality for our sin. He remained in control of everything in order so that the scriptures might be fulfilled. He said “I thirst”. The thirst He felt was not uncommon to anyone in such circumstances. His thirst was more than a dry throat. He was thirsty for those whom He said to come to Him and drink of refreshing water of salvation. Prophet Isaiah in his prophecy said in chapter 53, “He shall see of the travails of his soul and shall be satisfied”.
After the constant suffering of His soul the savior found satisfaction in every soul that has been redeemed and that has by faith felt salvation in Him can we by walking with Him with his cross on our shoulders to satisfy the thirst of our savior by saying with David, I stretch forth my hands unto thee, my soul thirsts after thee as a thirsty lands”. (Psalms 143.6)
6) IT IS FINISHED – JOHN 19.30 :
God sent His son Jesus into this world to fulfill three things. To heal the sick, to spread God’s word throughout the world and to sacrifice His life to redeem the sinners. He completed all of them so He said “it is finished”. The meaning of this word traditionally called “Triumph”. And it is interpreted theologically as the announcement of the end of the earthly life of Jesus Christ in anticipation of Resurrection. These words indicate the cry of victory Jesus had fulfilled for what purpose He came. He succeeded in His plan and salvation was made for all of us, though the unbearable suffering on the cross. He proved His love. As He said, “It is finished” with the above said words He was considered the noblest person, who walked on the surface of the planet, who was God in flesh and blood and who breathed His last on this earth.
It is finished, that means everything has been accomplished for which He came from His Father God as revealed in the scripture. Everything was foretold what was necessary for our salvation. Our savior said, “It is finished”. Let us try to understand what the exact meaning of the word “finished” here was. By sacrificing His life on the cross, Jesus paid full price of our salvation. Before this Jesus said to His disciples “Behold we go up to Jerusalem and all things that are written concerning the son of man shall be accomplished” (Luke 18.3). It is finished explains us that Jesus is true to His word. We are all redeemed with His precious blood on the cross. We believe the word of Jesus and trust Him once and for all – completed atonement, are numbered among those to whom psalm 22 makes a reference. A seed shall save him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born that he had done this. (Psalms 22.30-31)
The faith that saves us is not built upon personal effort. It is done only through Christ. But those people made Christ a liar, a blasphemer, being an ordinary person in flesh and blood and who does sin every day. It is finished with the belief the child of God, respects the word. He will give Christ and His cross due honour. In this context Martin Luther said “My penitent tears do not justify me, Christ alone has taken away my sins. He cast them into the sea of forget fullness. This is my defense a defense which rests upon, it is finished people generally appreciate any art, do not add another brush stroke to the painting of a master, because it is certainly beyond our imagination. Then why should the sinner for whom Jesus died and for the sake of whom, He declared it is finished. He declared because, He accomplished the purpose of His coming into this world. He provided to all of us salvation and with that He completed His mission. “For by grace, are ye, saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, Not of works”. (Ephesians 2.8-9)
7) FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS, I COMMIT MY SPIRIT LUKE
23.46 :
Jesus spoke this last word on the cross saying “Father into your hands, I commit my spirit”. This can be also found in Psalms 31.5. It is like an announcement, but not like a request. It is traditionally called “The word of reunion “. It is theologically interpreted as a proclamation of the journey of Jesus with His Father in heaven. When darkness surrounds anybody, it takes even faith to talk with God. These last words spoken by Jesus on the cross show His absolute trust in God. So, He said, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit”. This appears to be the best example of prayer that every Christian should try to follow if any one of the family falls sick, or in dangerous position or facing one’s own death. So, we have to say I commend myself, into your hands, for my safety.
This seventh word is taken from the Gospel of Luke and it is addressed to God Father directly who is in heaven; just before His death. Jesus recalled Psalms 31.5 “into thy hand I command my spirit”, thou hast redeemed me O lord, faithful God. Luke repeatedly pleaded about the innocence of Jesus with pilot through “Dismas”, who was also hanging along with Him and immediately after His death; with the centurion. And this centurion also said, Jesus was an innocent man. He fulfilled His Mission, of coming into this world; people were justified by His grace, as a gift through the redemption wishes is in Christ Jesus.
The relationship of Jesus with faith is revealed in the Gospel of John for He remarked. “The faith and I are one” and at the last supper”. “Do you not believe I am in the father and the Father is in me”. Jesus also said, “The words I speak to you, I do not speak of my own. The Father who dwells in me doing His work. (John 14.10). I came from the Father, and have come, into this world; again I am leaving this world, and going to the Father”. (John 16.28)
The severity of affliction in this life can never be measured with the suffering of our Lord. Really His suffering was immeasurable. As He died for us we can boldly say Lord give us such a death as this. As true believers of Jesus, let us reconcile with God through the death of Jesus, we have nothing to fear from God. It does not matter, how dreadful our death may be or how desperately we have to struggle between life and death. Now our hearts can be at peace because our Lord promised us, “Whosever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”. (John 3.16)
It is further said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither any man shall pluck them out of my land. My Father which gave them to me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s land”. (John 10.27-29) And Martin Luther while lying on his death bed said, I pass away, I yield up my spirit. Father unto thy hands. I command my spirit. Thou hast wonderful confession, we may have to make confidently, because our Lord Jesus had fulfilled all for our salvation; commanded Himself and with Himself all His members to the hands of the Father in heaven............. Chapter : 6