Good Friday
Dr. Lalith Mendis
Page 2
Why has thou forsaken However, some think that the words, as they stand in the Hebrew and Syriac, are capable of a translation which destroys all objections, and obviates every difficulty. The particle ??? lamah , may be translated, to what - to whom - to what kind or sort - to what purpose or profit: Gen_25:32 ; Gen_32:29 ; Gen_33:15 ; Job_9:29 ; Jer_6:20 ; Jer_20:18 ; Amo_5:18 ; and the verb ??? azab signifies to leave - to deposit - to commit to the care of. See Gen_39:6 ; Job_39:11 ; Psa_10:14 , and Jer_49:11 . The words, taken in this way, might be thus translated: My God! my God! to what sort of persons hast thou left me? The words thus understood are rather to be referred to the wicked Jews than to our Lord, and are an exclamation indicative of the obstinate wickedness of his crucifiers, who steeled their hearts against every operation of the Spirit and power of God. See Ling. Brit. Reform. by B. Martin, p. 36. Embalming & Burial The embalming by Nicodemus using 80 kilo of Aloe & Myrrh and bandages to boot, ensured that Christ was dead. After the Jewish burial process he could not have been alive. Besides, both Jewish theologians and the Roman executing system certified that Christ was dead before he was taken off the cross. This was needed proof for the resurrection. Muslims and others claim He only fainted, later recovered and rolled off the one tonne stone that shut the tomb. Breaking the legs stopped the victim form trying to breathe while hanging by gripping the vertical post of the cross with the thighs. With hanging, expiration was difficult and air collected in the lung. Death occurs by cardiac tamponade – fluid filling the pleural cavity and pericardial sac. Romans pierced the side (heart) to ensure that patient was dead before taking off the cross. Joh 19:31-36 Then the Jews, because it was Preparation, begged Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away, so that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the sabbath. For that sabbath was a high day. (32) Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with Him. (33) But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. (34) But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a lance, and instantly there came out blood and water. (35) And he who saw bore record, and his record is true. And he knows that he speaks true, so that you might believe. (36) For these things were done so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of Him shall be broken." Burial was in a tomb specially prepared by Joseph of Arimathea. When the tomb went empty all could verify. Had Jesus been buried in an unidentified place, it would have been easy to claim bodysnatching. Jn 19:38-42.
By Dr. Lalith Mendis
Apostolic-Sceptre.org
Page 3 Seven Words of the Resurrection • Whom Do you seek? Joh 20:15 Jesus said to her, Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek? • My Father – Your Father Joh 20:17 Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God. By this time His friends had become brothers. Jn 15:12. • Imprimatur – His hands & feet Luk 24:39 Behold My hands and My feet, that I am He! Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see Me have. • Mandate - Jn 20:21 Peace to you. As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you. • Mantle - Jn 20:22 Receive the Holy Spirit • Mission - Jn 20:23 Joh 20:23 Of whomever sins you remit, they are remitted to them. Of whomever sins you retain, they are retained. • Feed My Sheep Allusions to the Resurrection OT Prophecies – Ps 16:11,12, Ps 22:19-21, Emplant in another Joh 12:23-26 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. (24) Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. (25) He who loves his life shall lose it. And he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. (26) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also My servant shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
By Dr. Lalith Mendis
Apostolic-Sceptre.org
Page 4 Jesus planted His life in us . Joh 10:17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I might take it again. We are to plant ourselves (i.e. our Christ life) in another. This is the purpose of our life and the source of our glory and the way of glorifying Christ. In the market place we glorify a product by bringing in sales. How much more for Christ life in us & thru us into others to invest? Let's begin by planting a precious seed of Christ daily more into our spouse. This is how Christian families grow heaven in them. Just the way Chinese grow Chinatown where ever they settle. Eph 4:8 Wherefore — “For which reason,” namely, in order to intimate that Christ, the Head of the Church, is the author of all these different gifts, and that giving of them is an act of His “grace” *Estius+. he saith — God, whose word the Scripture is ( Psa_68:18 ). When he ascended — God is meant in the Psalm, represented by the ark, which was being brought up to Zion in triumph by David, after that “the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies” (2 Samuel 6:1-7:1; 1Ch_15:1-29 ). Paul quotes it of Christ ascending to heaven, who is therefore God. captivity — that is, a band of captives. In the Psalm, the captive foes of David. In the antitypical meaning, the foes of Christ the Son of David, the devil, death, the curse, and sin ( Col_2:15 ; 2Pe_2:4 ), led as it were in triumphal procession as a sign of the destruction of the foe. gave gifts unto men — in the Psalm, “ received gifts for men,” Hebrew, “among men,” that is, “thou hast received gifts” to distribute among men. As a conqueror distributes in token of his triumph the spoils of foes as gifts among his people. The impartation of the gifts and graces of the Spirit depended on Christ's ascension ( Joh_7:39 ; Joh_14:12 ). Paul stops short in the middle of the verse, and does not quote “that the Lord God might dwell among them. ” This, it is true, is partly fulfilled in Christians being an “habitation of God through the Spirit” ( Eph_2:22 ). But the Psalm ( Psa_68:16 ) refers to “the Lord dwelling in Zion for ever ”; the ascension amidst attendant angels, having as its counterpart the second advent amidst “thousands of angels” ( Psa_68:17 ), accompanied by the restoration of Israel ( Psa_68:22 ), the destruction of God's enemies and the resurrection ( Psa_68:20 , Psa_68:21 , Psa_68:23 ), the conversion of the kingdoms of the world to the Lord at Jerusalem ( Psa_68:29-34 ). Not she with traitorous kiss her Master stung, Not she denied Him with unfaithful tongue; She, when apostles fled, could dangers brave, Last at His cross, and earliest at His grave.
By Dr. Lalith Mendis
Apostolic-Sceptre.org
Page 5
There is only one failure that is worth labouring to prevent – and that is failing to be all God has for me. I am dying to live all Jesus has for me. It's not worth dying for anything else. “I am dying for…” is a manner of expression. “I am dying to go to Japan ” – not anymore! I am dying to have a glimpse of ….??”. I am dying to live – is official Christianity. When I die – Jesus begins His life in me. Why should I die – when I am doing so well? Are you really doing that well? If the answer is yes – Jesus will have to wait a while to live in you.
By Dr. Lalith Mendis
Apostolic-Sceptre.org