FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

Matthew 27:44-46; 3:13-17; 17:1-5; II Peter 1:18, 19, 17; John 8:28, 29; John 14:31; 15:9, 10; 16:32; Matthew 26:36-53; II Corinthians 5:19; Matthew 27:45, 46; 20:28; John 1:29, 36; I Corinthians 5:7: Hebrews 10:7, 8, 18, 7:26, 27; 9:14; I Peter 1:18, 19; [Hebrews 13:5]; Hebrews 10:9-14; II Corinthians 5:21; I timothy 2:3-6; Ephesians 2:4, 5; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 9:14; I Timothy 2:5; Romans 5:6-10; 5:9, 10, 15, 17, 20, 11-21; Romans 8:1, 2

When working God’s Word, we must remember keys to understanding. There are no contradictions in the Scriptures, however apparent contradictions are due either to our misunderstanding or improper translation. Also, all verses must fit and be in harmony with all other verses relating to the same subject matter. A word or words must fit and be in harmony with the verse as well as with all other verses relating to the same subject matter. Another key is that any difficult verse or portion of scripture must be understood in light of the clear verses that relate to the same subject matter.

Eli, Eli — My God, My God — Matthew 27:46 contains a difficult passage which must be understood in light of the above keys. The English translation is “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Theologians have taught that because Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world, God abandoned him and left him to die alone because God despises sin. Yet other scriptures say God referred to Jesus as His beloved son. Jesus said he always did His Father’s will and that he could do nothing without the Father. He says in John 8:29 that the Father did not leave him alone for he always did things that please Him. In Matthew 26, Jesus declares he could have 72,000 angels help him if he just prayed to the Father. Yet, Matthew 27:46 speaks of God forsaking Jesus. The contradiction is in the translation. The language of the people in Jesus’ time was Aramaic. According to Dr. George M. Lamsa’s translation of the Bible from the Aramaic of the Peshitta text into English, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani,” are “My God, my God, for this I was spared.” Rather than a cry of desperation, this was a cry of victory. Jesus Christ was accomplishing the will of the Father which is that mankind was being redeemed.

Our Sin Substitute — Our Sin Offering — Jesus’ life was a ransom or payment for the sins of mankind. The scriptures refer to him as the lamb of God. He was the Passover lamb without blemish and spot which was required by the law. Prior to his coming, man could only offer a lamb as a blood offering to God for the atonement of man’s sins. The offerings of the priests could never take away sins, only cover them. Yet John the Baptist declared of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.” II Corinthians 5:21 says that he was made sin for us, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. He remained sinless, always doing the Father’s will, and thereby was fully qualified to be our sin offering as the Passover Lamb once and for all. He took away the sins of the world.

The Man, Christ Jesus — Adam was a man who put mankind in the terrible state of separation from God. Jesus Christ was a man of flesh and blood, born of Mary. God, in His infinite wisdom, impregnated the egg in Mary with His seed. Thus, Jesus Christ could be born a human, having flesh and blood, yet with perfect blood. The blood of Jesus Christ was without spot, sinless and perfect. Because it was a man, Adam, who sinned and put man in the state of separation from God, it had to be a man who would legally and justly redeem mankind. Romans 5 presents the consequences brought upon mankind by Adam’s sin and benefits made available to mankind by Jesus Christ’s life.

Through Jesus Christ, we now have received “at-one-ment” (reconciliation) with God. The Father never left Jesus alone. Jesus was obedient all his days, even unto death. He is God’s never forsaken Son. He is the believer’s sin offering. He is our substitute for sin. He is our savior, our mediator, our Lord, who ever makes intercession for us, the saints of God. Praise God for the gift of His Son who He raised from the dead and who is seated at the right hand of God.