The Authority of the Word: On reliability of Gospels

The Word of God - The Holy Bible is considered to the incorruptible indestructible ever living word of God.

The Holy Bible is considered to be incorruptible and indestructible ever living word of God because of many reasons. Though it has been said by the skeptics as unreliable and illogical it has been the most selling book of all the history. It has been a book of inspiration for many lives to guide them, lead them, provide them with Wisdom and Knowledge that is required to live a Godly life.

1 Peter 1:23 NIV
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

The most important aspect of the Holy Bible is that is reliability. How can we trust what we read in this book is really what God wants to say. The answer varies from various religious theologians and Apologetics. Many Evangelist have even more different opinions, but the truth is truth.

One of most important aspect in any verification is eyewitness: The Holy Bible contains many writers who were the eyewitness of the events, say for example. The Disciples of Jesus Christ, who themselves were along with Jesus, saw his miracles, saw his death and resurrection, listened to his preachings and learnt the lessons what God wanted them to learn. Now it was in their hand to share that good news with the rest of the world. Their views and opinions may vary, because of their personal experience and visions. This variations in the Gospels doesn't mean that its unreliable, but it just gives us an understanding about the writers. The account of resurrection in the Gospel is an other example. The time mentioned in the Gospels for the death of Jesus Christ on the cross vary differently, That doesn't mean that its unreliable, it just mean that the objective is to place the subject matter more than the time and other elements. The skeptics have come with lots of ideas with this shortcoming of the scripture. They come with theories like, its a political drama, its unreliable, its deviating.

The major questions arise from this reliability and authority of the Gospels gave opportunity for the skeptics to question the role of God in Creation to the role of God and his Sovereignty.
Some of the major questions that are still being asked:
Creation Vs Evolution:
Free will of Human Vs Sovereignty of God
Jesus Christ Human or God

When we as believer say God created everything that exists. The next question will be why? The answer is - its God's Sovereignty. When we started questioning and reasoning, when we left out wandering without any answers, God sent his one and the only Son - Jesus.

Ephesians 1:9 NIV
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

God doesn't want us to just follow him without reasoning, but he expects us to be obedient - Then he will make us know what his purpose his about this mystery of Life.

Psalm 16:11 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

The Authority of the Word: On various views - Jesus Anointed

 Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself. 

-C H Spurgeon

Have we ever wondered why different Gospel writers wrote an experience differently in the Bible? Say for Example - Anointing Jesus - In one Gospel it says Jesus was Anointed at the Feet in other He was Anointed at the head.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on A Donkey or on a Colt?

In the beginning God created Heaven and the Earth, Why should then in some translations it is said as Heavens and the Earth?

The Spirit of the Lord hovered upon the waters? Genesis 1:2 NIV
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The Bible for many years has come with a lot of controversies and contradictions. It is in this way because of the limitations of the human knowledge and thinking.

Say for Example the Anointing of Jesus itself.

Matthew 26:6-13

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Precious Ointment

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11 For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”  

Mark 14:3-9

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

3 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said,“Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

Luke 7:36-50

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Now as we could see Matthew and Mark had a different opinion about the incident when compared to Luke. In this instance the point to be noted is that, How are we to interpret this event? The incident itself gives us clues as to how we as humans view different things in life. When this woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

First the pharisees way of looking at the things: Sinfulness - Untouchability

They looked at the outer appearance - Laws, Sinfulness, Punishment as the major things in life. Sine they always were thinking about these things when they saw this women they started questioning themselves saying - 

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

In their view sinners should not be touched nor they should have been allowed to touch anyone. Their objective is to appear right from outside - White washed tombs (Matthew 23:27 NIV "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.)

Second the Disciples way of looking at the things: Costly - Why Waste?
The disciples were indignant - But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
The disciples way of thinking was all about the money, proper utilization of money, their concern was about the usage than the true intention of the incident. They were ignorant about the presence of the Lord - Jesus Christ and questioned "Why this waste?"

In their view the incident is something that should be condemned, as they even scold this women.
And they were scolding her.


Third the Sceptics and Historians: Much similar like the pharisees and disciples, but much more complicated:
This is the view of the sceptics and historians who would like to take note on each and every instances for finding faults on the verses. They argue about the reliability on the scriptures more than the meaning that it wants us to understand. It is not possible for anyone to understand the Gospels completely without the help of the Holy Spirit - John 16:13 NIV
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Today our views on these instances that we read has varied from person to person as with our experience in our lives and our interpretations varies. But the truth is always truth, God doesn't change - He wants us to understand the fact that he gives us understanding only when we believe in him truly and not doubting and questioning and reasoning like sceptics.

But we as believers should believe what Jesus said -

First he recognises the sinful nature of this woman and her attitude towards forgiveness:
But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me.
He first answers the doubts and questions about sinfulness, sinful nature and forgiveness. He knew what the people thought about when this woman anointed him with the oil. Our view should be that of Jesus - To see the heart, not head (mind) nor feet (works).

Secondly, Jesus says about those who questioned about Money:
For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.
Helping the poor from our heart is what God expects us to do. In the parable of Jesus - The Rich man and Lazarus is one of the good example as to how we should care for the poor. 


Thirdly, Jesus says about his death and resurrection:
Jesus accepted the anointing of the oil because the purpose was more than what anyone could think of. "Preparing for the burial" - as Jesus mentions -
For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.” 

Jesus even acknowledges her sacrifice (of spending such money) and says -  Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.

Finally, Jesus also says an other explanation for the forgiveness of sins:

Luke 7:40-50

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Parable of Two Debtors

40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say [c]to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”


Where is our thoughts today?
->On the precious ointment? -> On the question of where it was put to anoint Jesus - Head or Feet? -> On Forgiveness of sins? -> On Authority of God's Word?

Many Christian theologians say that the authors were having different interpretations and it is because of the variation in time when they wrote these incidents - Some authors gave us much detail, others omitted, but a fact is a fact. Say in the above instance itself - Matthew and Mark say that Jesus was anointed on the Head, whereas Luke says Jesus was anointed on Feet, but the fact is - Jesus was anointed. It is for that fact, the possibility may be that the woman may have poured on the head and also on the feet and anointed.

Hebrews 4:12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division ofsoul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

All is vanity

Ecclesiastes 1

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Futility of All Endeavor

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

3 What advantage does man have in all his work
Which he does under the sun?
4 A generation goes and a generation comes,
But the earth remains forever.
5 Also, the sun rises and the sun sets;
And hastening to its place it rises there again.
6 Blowing toward the south,
Then turning toward the north,
The wind continues swirling along;
And on its circular courses the wind returns.
7 All the rivers flow into the sea,
Yet the sea is not full.
To the place where the rivers flow,
There they flow again.
8 All things are wearisome;
Man is not able to tell it.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
Nor is the ear filled with hearing.
9 That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one might say,
“See this, it is new”?
Already it has existed for ages
Which were before us.
11 There is no remembrance of earlier things;
And also of the later things which will occur,
There will be for them no remembrance
Among those who will come later still.

The Futility of Wisdom

12 I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. 18 Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.



This is the right time to learn Ecclesiastes, Solomon has written this book. His experience with the nature and the kind of experiences which taught him lessons for life.

Ecclesiastes 7:28 NIV

while I was still searching but not finding-- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past".

We are in the present, Hoping for a better future, but dwelling on the past. Many of us do the mistake of dwelling on the past.

When we look at the Bible, It considers most of the people who are successful, though they had a very bad past life. The Story of Joseph in the Old Testament is a very good example anyone who wants to forget his past which may be sinful or which may be bad. Because in Joseph's life his past was such a misery, but yet he didn't dwell on that, that became his successful aspect for his future.

In fact when people say don't dwell on the past, it doesn't mean that we should completely forget it, but forget those bad sinful instances and remember all those beautiful and wonderful things. This way of thinking is a way of showing gratitude to the creator, Look at Job for instance - When he had everything he thanked God, He praised God when he was left with nothing, He praised God saying "Job 1:21 NIV
and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Isaiah 43:18
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past".

The most important aspect in forgetting the wrong past is this:
It will enable you to think clearly about the present and future: If you don't forget the things of the past which may be a failure, or a sin. It will be always insisting you to do the same mistake again, saying you are alive, you can do whatever you want. As said in

Ecclesiastes 8:11 NIV
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.


So, its very important to forget the bad things of the past, to have a positive attitude about future and to have a fear that will enable us to walk towards the Godly things. As Fear of God is very important in our life. Luke 12:5 NIV
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.


Ecclesiastes 5:15 NIV

Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.

The life of Alexander is an inspiration for many, He was a king who thought to rule the entire world. But due to sickness he died. The Last three wishes of Alexander is:

As a military commander, he was undefeated and the most successful throughout history. On his way homefrom conquering many countries, he came down with an illness. At that moment, his captured territories, powerful army, sharp swords, and wealth all had no meaning to him. He realized that death would soon arrive and he would be unable to return to his homeland. He told his officers: “I will soon leave this world. I have three final wishes. You need to carry out what I tell you.” His generals, in tears, agreed.

“My first wish is to have my physician bring my coffin home alone. After a gasping for air, Alexander continued: “My second wish is scatter the gold, silver, and gems from my treasure-house along the path to the tomb when you ship my coffin to the grave.” After wrapping in a woolen blanket and resting for a while, he said: “My final wish it to put my hands outside the coffin.” People surrounding him all were very curious, but no one dare to ask the reason. Alexander’s most favored general kissed his hand and asked: “My Majesty, We will follow your instruction. But can you tell us why you want us to do it this way?” After taking a deep breath, Alexander said: “I want everyone to understand the three lessons I have learned. To let my physician carry my coffin alone is to let people realize that a physician cannot really cure people’s illness. Especially when they face death, the physicians are powerless. I hope people will learn to treasure their lives. My second wish is to tell people not to be like me in pursuing wealth. I spent my whole life pursuing wealth, but I was wasting my time most of the time. My third wish to let people understand that I came to this world in empty hands and I will leave this world also in empty hands.” he closed his eyes after finished talking and stopped breathing.

Though these things and many other biographical, historical documents are written after many years and centuries after these people lived & died and only few relative documents were found, People rely in these words of these people. But Bible is the word of God, A true inspiration written by the people with one purpose of presenting the true God - Jesus Christ, His life, his works, his teachings to make us understand our past (the wrong one) to forget and to bring a new life (through Jesus Christ)

If forgetting the wrongs someone has done to us, or forgetting the wrongs that we did to someone, or if everything that happened in the past is wrong and need to be forgotten. The best and the only way is to seek God with an open heart and mind.

Hebrews 8:12 NIV
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Have A great Day Ahead that will be remembered forever.....

He has risen

1 Corinthians 15:14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

Jesus christ said -  “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."

Resurrection is one and the only one most important incident in the whole history of mankind. One one has ever proclaimed and have proved it, but only Jesus has. Jesus rose so that we may have hope in him, that our sins are forgiven and we can have an everlasting life through him.

There are many things happened on that day of Resurrection. Before that and after that. 

Joseph of Arimathea - Some of the characteristics:

He was Bold - Bold enough to as Pilate for the body of Christ and he acquired the permission.

Good And Honourable Man.

Waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

He was a Rich Man.

A Disciple of Jesus.

He offered the tomb, which he prepared for himself.

The Denial of Peter was an other incident, Before resurrection.

The Seven Sayings on the Cross.

After the resurrection, Jesus first appeared to Mary:

Mark 16:9 NIV

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

So here again, a women was chosen to proclaim the truth. To be an eye witness, a former sinner - who had demons.

The belief of Thomas:

John 20:25-28

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He *said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Ascension of Jesus - Many eye witness testify that after the resurrection, Jesus Christ was on the earth for 40 day and then ascended into the Heaven to be with the Father in Heaven.

Luke 22:69 NIV

But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The seven sayings of Jesus Christ on the Cross

The seven sayings form part of a Christian meditation that is often used during Lent, Holy Week and Good Friday. The traditional order of the sayings is:

1. Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
2. Luke 23:43: Truly, I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise.
3. John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother.
4. Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
5. John 19:28: I thirst.
6. John 19:29-30: It is finished.
7. Luke 23:46: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

The Seven sayings are the most important sayings of Jesus Christ. As this was said at the last moments just before his death on the cross, this signifies a lot about Jesus’ character. Many have analyzed these sayings from both Human and Godly perspective of Jesus Christ, as he is both a human and God.

The sayings gives us a very deeper understanding and for our learning of Jesus Christ. The purpose and the destiny of Jesus are displayed in the saying. The Hope and the power are displayed in the sayings. The need of the hour is to understand from God’s perspective as to what he wants us to understand from Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. The Cross signifies the end to the beginning. The end is to the death which is by our sins, but a new beginning from his blood, which washes away all our sins. Jesus’ most precious and holy blood is the only way for us to be reconciled to the Father in Heaven. Jesus is the way the only way to the Father. Apart from him there is no other way.

These sayings are not only for this period of our lives, but its forever. Every day and every moment our life has to signify his Glory, not only from our works, but by recognizing his work, the work on the cross. On the way to the Calvary, he not only carried the cross, but the sins of the entire world. Each step towards the cross for him was a designated way for us to come closer from the separation to the Heavenly Father. Jesus was the true lord, “There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Let us understand God first – Is Jesus a Man – Yes, He is

Is he a God – Yes, He is

Is the Son of God – Yes, he is.

As human – As John says: Before the world was created, the Word already existed; he was with God, and he was the same as God.

As God – His birth, Miracles, Teachings, Life, Death and Resurrection

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. Now that you have known me,’ he said to them, “you will know my Father also, and from now on you do know him and you have seen him.”

Son of God – God has glorified and Jesus glorified God at various times in the gospel – The first time as Jesus was taking the Baptism – Father said – “This is my beloved Son”, 

The voice of the Father came also when Jesus said, “Father, bring glory to your name!” Then a voice spoke from heaven, “I have brought glory to it, and I will do so again.”

The Trinity – God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit.

The Godhead is one and the same, but in different forms. How is it possible? Well the very basic way to explain it is this, the concept of God is very true and it is important to note that Godhead is true as it is; this is just a way to explain it. The trinity of God is like the form of the water. The one is in Solid form as ICE, The other is in liquid for as H2O, and the other form is in as Gaseous – Water vapor.

Jesus was a Human too, but Holy, without any fault, he won the Death and resurrected – Through the power of God. God assigned Jesus an assignment to save the world from its sin – The sin through the Flesh – The body, which was originally made as holy as God himself, as God says “Let us make man in our image”. But because of the first sin – The sin of disobedience, we lost such state. Death became a part of life. Jesus came to remove this part which separated us from the Father. As he says he is the way. Here we have to understand that there is no other way to the father, except through Jesus. Many may think, what they do as Godly service to human kind, goodness, or being good or helping, feeding will be enough to be with the Father, but the fact is only Jesus can help us to be with the Father, we have to do all according to the law – The good deeds in deed, but more than that, we need to believe in Jesus Christ as the Lord, we should confess through our mouth as he is the Lord, we need to believe that God has risen Jesus from the Death, i.e. Christ overcame the death.

The fact that one should believe in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior is that – We will have hope not only in this life, but also the life that is to come. We believe that our works, each word, each thoughts will be judged, but ours is already judged through Jesus Christ – Who bore our sins and made us, clean through his blood. It is not through any of my work, but the work of Jesus Christ on the cross which saved me from the condemnation from the faults, and the evil that I have done in the past.

The First and the foremost thing Jesus said on the cross

LUKE 23:34 – “Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus said this because of many reasons. The verses just before the saying, there were a lot of incidents happened.

The Soldiers mocked him – Sayings King of Kings, Come lets us divide his clothes.

They mocked him saying, “If you are really the Son of God, save yourself”

Jesus said to forgive in the midst of the most difficult time. But the Nature of God is Forgiveness. No matter what one has said or done, he will be forgiven. It is human nature to go astray, to sin, to do mistakes. But all that God expects is to find the right way in him, to repent, to be able to overcome such sinful nature from his holy nature, trusting him. Believing that Jesus Christ has dead for the Sins and the power of God enabled him to overcome the death and he resurrected by that power. Our sins should always be put up on the death that Jesus sacrificed, the strength to overcome such sins in the present and future is to ask him to lead us, guide us through the power which enabled him to overcome the death itself – The power of his resurrection. The resurrection power of Christ, which brings back our life. The power which enables us to follow him, to worship him and to glorify him. Jesus Christ the power and wisdom of God.

God’s Nature is forgiving; this is not just because he loves us. Not just because we need a way out to escape the sufferings and return for our sins. But most of the times we doesn’t know what we are doing. And there are some straight forward sins – The sins that God hates. Disobedience (The First Sin Adam & Eve, Negligence of His Gifts (Parable of the Talents).

Matthew 27:25 - The whole crowd answered, “Let the responsibility for his death fall on us and our children!”

1^st John 2:2 – And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone.

Hebrews 10:10 – Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that he made of his own body once and for all.

Through Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the Cross, we got the opportunity to communicate to the Father.  1^st Peter 2:5 – Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness is Lord’s Prayer: When Jesus taught how to pray, He mentions about forgiving one another. “Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who does us wrong.

“If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other, then your Father will not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus taught us the lesson – We should forgive each and every one, no matter what they have done for us or what they may do. Because we have been forgiven from the compassion Jesus showed us.

Matthew 18:23-35

King James Version (KJV)

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account

of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand

talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and

children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me,

and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him

the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an

hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou

owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me,

and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto

their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave

thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on

thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was

due unto him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every

one his brother their trespasses.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Even when the phrases brought the women committed in Adultery – To Stone her. Jesus forgave

Jesus taught us the value of forgiveness or the Joy of forgiveness – in Luke 7 – Whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little Love.

The second saying of Jesus Christ on Cross is

 “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”

Luke 23:39-43 – One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” The other one, however, rebuked him, saying “Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!” Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”

To know the importance of the second saying of Jesus on the cross, we must understand on what context he said to the person, who along with Jesus was crucified.

à He was crucified along with Jesus, but this person was crucified for his wrong doings. He realized his mistake and asks God to remember him.  “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”

à When the other criminal on the left said “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” – he was insulting Jesus. But The other one, however, rebuked him, saying “Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.”

This saying of his shows that he fears God – The one who rightly judges. He know who Jesus was – as he says,  but he has done no wrong.

à His confidence is shown in the last thing he asked Jesus – He didn’t say, Jesus are you able to remember? Or will you be able to remember? Or will you remember? He straightaway said “Remember me”

The third saying of Jesus Christ on Cross is

John 19:26-27 – Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “She is your mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home.

Jesus came to make the reconciliation for our sins, that by his stripes we are healed. He made that account clear, he cleared our debts, and he forgave our sins.

He loved the disciples, the people who were there; he loved them to the end. He loved the sinners too. Jesus did an amazing work by reconciling his relationship – To his mother “Here is your Son” and to the disciple, “She is your mother”

He made this reconciliation through obedience, through his love for one another. His reconciliation shows that he was accountable for the best possible relationship existence. He did say, just before this incident,

Luke 23:27-28 (KJV)

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

Jesus was always concerned for us, when he had compassion on the people, Matthew 9:36 - But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

When he healed the mother of Peter also, He had compassion on his loved ones.

This saying though it doesn’t directly teach us what we need to do, it does say how we need to be. Jesus even at the most difficult time, at the cross, the most difficult moment, looked at the eyes and heart of the people and he took the things which will benefit them, which will bring them into the understanding of what God can do to their lives through Jesus.

His love and compassion is more than any other thing in the world.

Isaiah 49:15 (KJV)

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Proverbs 23:22 (KJV)

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Reconciliation is very important in relationships; Jesus looked at the hearts of the people – His disciples, his mother. He recognized that they in deed need help and support of one another. He did say that the Holy Spirit will help you understand everything about him, the Holy Spirit will have compassion and he will counsel.

John 16:7-15 (KJV)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The fourth saying of Jesus Christ on Cross is

Matt 27:46 (KJV)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Just before the arrest, at the garden of Gethsemane – Jesus Prays: Matt 26:39 (KJV) saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

John 12:27 (KJV) Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Jesus know that he is going to suffer for the sin of the world, the only thing he had in his mind was to do everything according to the Father’s Will. Time and time again he asks the Father to help and support. He reminds of the kind of death he is going to die, not to give up, but to establish the covenant with the Father.

Jesus when he said, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? – He meant that God chose Jesus as the lamb for sacrifice. The sin of the whole world was upon him. God has to forsake Jesus for our sins. It is the utmost love that he showed us. Jesus accepted this burden upon him.

Psalm 22

David complains in great discouragement

To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Job also in his sufferings did not curse God, but uplifted him, Blessed the name of the Lord. Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

Heb 12:1-7 (KJV)

Chapter 12

We must persevere in our purpose

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

The fifth saying of Jesus Christ on Cross is

“I am Thirsty”

John 19:28 (KJV)

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Jesus was both human and God, This word on the cross “Thirsty” signifies his need to turn, transform the lives of the people, who never knew the importance of the living water, the thirst less living water that flows from the heart of the believer whoever believes that Jesus is God and he died for my sins and raised him from the death to have an everlasting relationship with me.

The other thirst is the human thirst, the natural thirst as any human would have. Having undergone such sufferings and pain on the cross, the agony and pain of his flesh, he said “I am Thirsty”

God made people of Israel to pass through the red sea, he made Moses to strike on a rock and there came water, which filled their thirst. Jesus’ first miracle was “Turned the water into wine”, He walked upon the waters.  

1 Peter 3:16-22 (KJV)

16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Jesus also healed a man who was waiting for the miracle for about 38 years, for the right time for the to put him in the pool, when the spirit troubled the water.

John 5:1-16 (KJV)

Chapter 5

Christ on the sabbath day cures the man who was diseased thirty-eight years

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

The sixth saying of Jesus Christ on Cross is

“It is finished”

John 19:30 (KJV)

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

When Jesus said “It is finished”, he proclaimed the accomplishment, the complete and fulfillment of the Father’s will for his life. Death is an end; Jesus put our sins to death. He resurrected to give us Hope in him, whoever believes in him as God, will have everlasting life.

Isaiah 46:10 (KJV)

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Finishing our debts on the cross and beginning in him a new life is the Hope for everyone who believes in God Jesus.

God has to finish this because of our disobedience from the Garden of Eden to every moment that we may disobey his word,

Gen 3:22-24 (KJV)

22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

But God is merciful to forgive us from our sins,

Heb 8:12-13 (KJV)

 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

John 3:17 (KJV)

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The seventh saying of Jesus Christ on Cross is

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:”

Luke 23:46 (KJV)

46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

What does it mean to commend the spirit into the Father’s hand?

God’s Hand:

He has written us in his hand’s palm.

God’s hand has not been shortened – there is nothing that is impossible for God, for God everything is possible.

Jesus’s hand – has healed many sickness and diseases, Has helped the poor, Has healed the paralyzed hand, withered hands are healed by him, He helped Peter by stretching his hand.

Commending the Spirit – The Spirit is the most important aspect of life, the place it has to be secured is Father’s hand. There is no other place that we can commend our spirit than our Father’s hand.  Jesus proclaimed that.

Commending our spirit to father means, trusting in him, we believe in his security, His hand holds the time, “Time is in his hand”. His hand has the power – The keys.