My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Dr. Fr. Davis George

During his life time Jesus went around healing the sick; he made the lame walk, the deaf, dumb speak, the blind see and even the dead were brought back to life.  He fed over 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Thousands came to hear him.  And yet he was condemned to death and when he carried his cross most of the people deserted him.  Those who cried out hosanna on the Palm Sunday cried out “crucify him”. It was Friday, the day after Passover. During the crucifixion some of them struck his head, and knelt down before him to ridicule him.   "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." (1 Pt 2:22) and yet they spat on his face and struck him.  Even the closest of his disciple Peter denied him three times. Judas betrayed him with a kiss.  As a human being Jesus felt  abandoned, deserted, forsaken, lonely and betrayed and let down by his own disciples.  Even by God.  Jesus was on the cross for three hours, from twelve noon to three o’clock. The sky turned dark and black, the darkest day of human history, and even darkness enveloped Jesus’ heart. It was three o’clock on that Friday afternoon and Jesus was coming closer to his death. The Bible tells us that Jesus cried out with a shrieking shout, in almost a scream, in Aramaic, his native tongue. Eloi. Eloi. Lama sabachthani. My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Mk 15:33-34)  As the Bible says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." (Gal 3:13) “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Rom 4:25)

Sometimes in life, we all feel abandoned by a loved one; betrayed by trusted friend; forsaken by those whom we thought will be a source of encouragement and consolation. As a result we feel disappointed, discouraged and sad and down in the dumps. Divorce also causes brokenness in life. When one parent moves away, a child often feels that he or she has been abandoned by the parent, who not only left the house but left the town as well. We can experience similar feelings due to untimely death of loved ones. When parent gets cancer and dies, the young and the little child often feels abandoned by his mother or father who died. We come across sometimes people who have been married for few years and one of the partners dies. The remaining partner often feels abandoned. Death often causes people to cry out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

What can we learn from Jesus’ cry to God?

The first thing we learn is this: it is OK to have feelings and give vent those feelings of abandonment, as Jesus did on the cross. To feel the pain and sadness of being abandoned by God is normal. That is the way God made us, to feel such feelings and to give vent to such feelings. It is OK to feel depressed and abandoned by God.

King David certainly did, when people wanted to kill him. He wrote those classic words in Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? King David was a devout believer in God and clung to God and was loyal to God, but he also felt depressed and abandoned by God.  If it was normal and acceptable for God’s King David to give vent to his feelings, and he was the best king in the whole Old Testament, it is certainly normal and acceptable for you and me to feel the same way.

Job certainly did. Job is the most famous person in the Old Testament who is known for his suffering. Job suffered more than any other person in the Old Testament, and he, too, felt abandoned by God, deserted by God, forsaken by God, and he shouted his laments and anger towards God. That was part of humanness, to feel that way.  It is OK to feel like Job.

Jesus certainly did. Jesus was the very Son of God, the heart and mind of God in the flesh, and in the moment of the deepest darkness of the land and the deepest darkness of his heart, Jesus felt that God had abandoned him and he shouted his feelings to the heavens. This reveals that Jesus was fully human, and when we have those similar feelings and give vent to those feelings we are fully human as well. “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.”  (Heb. 5:7-10) “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.” (Heb 4:15) So when you have such feelings that God has abandoned you, and you vent those feelings, remember that King David, Job, and Jesus the Son of God felt in the same way.  When we lose a father or mother, husband or wife, brother or sister, child or grandchild, or experience any tragedy in our personal lives, we often feel a silent abandonment by God; let us remember that King David, Job and Jesus felt the same way.

The second thing we learn tonight from Jesus’ words is this: even in the worst situations of life, we are to cling to God with both hands as Jesus did.  Yes, with both hands. Jesus’ darkest hour with darkness all around him and within him, Jesus still clung to God with both hands. His left hand said, “My God.” His right hand said, “My God.” Eloi. Eloi. My God, my God, was Jesus clinging to God with both hands in the midst of this horrific situation. Jesus clung to God with all his might during the darkest hour of his life.  It is easy to believe in God when life smiles on you, but it is much more difficult to believe in God when life frowns on you. It is easy to believe in God when you are wearing silver slippers and the path is smooth and easy; but it is much more difficult to believe in God when your feet are blistered and the path is rocky. Sometimes, life can be incredibly hard. In the worst and darkest day of human history, Jesus still clung to God with both hands and held onto God. We are to cling to God in our darkest days.

The third thing we learn from Jesus’ word on the cross is that these are not his last words. The drama does not end with his depression and emotional exhaustion. King David wrote the 22nd psalm, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me.” But he also wrote the next psalm, the 23rd psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” The 22nd psalm was not his last word.  Job complained to God when he lost all his possessions, his family, everything. He railed against God in his anger, but those were not his last words. He also wrote at the end of his book, “I know that my redeemer lives.” Job’s feelings of abandonment were not his last words. So also with Jesus. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me,” were not his last words. His last words were cry of victory, “It is accomplished. It is finished. It is done.  I have accomplished your will and redeemed the world.”   

By Rising, Jesus Restored Life from Death

Dr. Fr. Davis George

Patt Barnes came upon an old lady selling flowers on a busy city street.  The lady’s face was old and wrinkled but radiant with an Easter smile.  Taking a flower, Patt paid her and said, “How happy you look this morning.”  The flower lady replied.  “Why not?  Everything is beautiful.”  Patt was startled by her reply, because she was dressed so shabbily and seemed so frail.  Patt said, “You surely wear your troubles well!”  Again, the flower lady’s reply startled Patt:  “When Jesus died on Good Friday.” She said, “that was the worst of days.  Then, three days later-Easter!  So when troubles come my way, I simply wait three days.  Then everything gets all right again.”  How could I better handle my troubles? 

On Easter morning the women went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried.  They had a sad task to perform – to complete the embalming of his body.  But that was not the only reason they were going to the tomb.  They wanted to be near the one who had filled their lives, and whose death plunged them into an inconsolable grief.

We’ve often done the same thing ourselves.  When someone we love dies, we find it hard to accept that he/she is gone from us forever.  We feel a need to maintain a link with the one who has died.  One of the ways we meet this need is by visits to the grave. However, far from easing the pain of our loss, this may exacerbate it.  It tends to make the dead even more dead, because nowhere do we become so sure that our loved one is dead as at the grave.

If things had gone as expected that first Easter morning, the women would have embalmed the body of Jesus, closed the tomb again, and come away more convinced than ever that what happened on Friday was not a bad dream but a terrible reality.  But things did not go according to plan.  At the tomb they met two angels who said to them, why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.’  It was to these faithful women disciples that the Easter message was first given: Jesus is not dead; he is alive.  So they must not waste their time looking for him at the tomb.

All of us have stood forlornly in graveyards, where everything speaks of death.  Yet it was fitting that it was here, where death seems to reign supreme, that the good news of Jesus’ resurrection was first announced. Do not look for your loved one in the grave. He/she is not there.  Jesus overcame death, not just for himself, but for all of us.  He is the first to rise from the dead, but we will follow him.

Jesus had no degree yet they called him Teacher; Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master; He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher; Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer; Had no army, yet Kings feared Him; He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world; He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him; He was buried in a tomb, but yet He lives today.

Jesus Paid the Price

Dr. Fr. Davis George

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Good Friday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak..."I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there, son?" "Just some old birds," came the reply. "What are you going to do with them?" I asked. "Take them home and have fun with them," he answered. "I'm going to tease them and pull out their feathers to make them fight. I'm going to have a real good time" "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?"  "Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll let them be eaten by the cats."  The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?" "Huh??!!! Why, do you want those birds, mister? They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They aren’t even pretty!"  "How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"  The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten-dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got them all!".”What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm going to have fun! I'm going to teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm going to teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really going to have fun!" "And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, I'll kill them," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked "Oh, you don't want those people. They aren’t any good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!" "How much?" He asked again. Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life." Jesus said, "DONE!"  Then He paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, Prophets foretold about the suffering and death of the future Messiah. We read in the Bible, The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. (Is. 50: 5-7)  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. (Is. 53: 4–7)  You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamp without blemish or spot. He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake.  Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Pt. 1: 18-21) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you and example that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Pt. 2: 21-24) Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Is.  55: 6-7)

On this Good Friday let us surrender our lives to Jesus, the Savior of the world who is able to save us from sin and death. Let us return to him with humble and contrite hearts, acknowledging our sinfulness. Jesus said, “I have not come to condemn the world but to save the world.” Again he said, “I have not come to call the virtuous but sinners.” We all have sinned. We all need to repent and change our ways so that we may have life and life in abundance.

Jesus’ death on the Cross was unique: Good Friday Reflections

Dr. Fr. Davis George

Alexander the Great once found his philosopher friend Diogenes standing in a field, looking intently at a large pile of bones. Asked what he was doing, the old man turned to Alexander and replied, "I am searching for the bones of your father Philip, but I cannot seem to distinguish them from the bones of the slaves." Alexander got the point: everyone is equal in death. From the greatest to the least, from the most beautiful to the most ordinary, death is the universal equalizer.

Most of us know the shock and grief that comes with the death of a loved one or colleague: the sense of loss, perhaps numbness or anger, perhaps the realization of our own mortality. Jesus - the King of the Jews, the Messiah, the Son of God - shared the human experience of death. His heart stopped beating, his lungs ceased their constant inhaling and exhaling, and the electrical impulses within his brain slowed and subsided into nothingness.

Each of the Gospel writers describes the event of Jesus' death: "When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit"; "With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last"; "When he had said this, he breathed his last"; "He bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30). But none of the Gospel writers focuses on the physical sufferings of Jesus. Each tells part of the whole horrific story, with his own emphasis and understanding of its significance. The death of Jesus was not only unusual - it was unique.

Jesus shared the common experience of death that we all must encounter. Some die accidentally, others by their own hand; some die deserving death; others unjustly or prematurely - but all die. Yet Jesus' death was unique because it was perfectly timed.

People die in different ways. Sometimes the spirit leaves peacefully while the person is asleep. Sometimes it is violently removed, and there's an agonizing battle as the sufferer struggles frantically to hold onto life. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin died in 1953, and his daughter Svetlana penned this graphic description of his last moments:

"The death agony was horrible . . . At what seemed like the very last moment he suddenly opened his eyes and cast a glance over everyone in the room . . . He suddenly lifted his left hand as though bringing down a curse on us all. The gesture was incomprehensible and full of menace . . . The next moment, after a final effort, the spirit wrenched itself free of the flesh" (Svetlana Alliluyeva, Twenty Letters to a Friend).

Not so with Jesus: "After he took the wine, Jesus said, 'It's done . . . complete.' Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit" (John 19:30, The Message). Even as he hung suspended by Roman nails between earth and heaven, he was in control, bringing his life mission to its ultimate climax. Augustine reminds us that "Jesus gave up his life because he willed it, when he willed it, and as he willed it."

His death was also an act of worship. Throughout his life Jesus pleased his Father. At his baptism heaven opened and God declared, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). To the Jews who persecuted him Jesus said, "I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" (John 5:30). And Hebrews 9:14 reveals that on the cross Jesus "offered himself unblemished to God."

Unlike the temple priests who first sacrificed an animal to remove their own sins before sacrificing on behalf of the people, Jesus offered to God his own body - his own life - for our sins. In doing so, he demonstrated his complete obedience to God as his holy Father, and the complete worthiness of God as the object of his worship. In this respect also his death was unique.

When Jesus dismissed his spirit and died, the soldiers stationed nearby were surprised he had died so quickly; some victims remained alive for up to two days before dying. But they were not the only ones surprised. Across the valley, in the city centre, at the precise moment of Jesus' death, Matthew records that "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life" (Matthew 27:51-52). The death of Jesus had supernatural consequences.

The enormous, thickly lined curtain separating the holy of holies from the holy place was torn in two, symbolising that through the death of Jesus the way into God's immediate presence was open to all, regardless of the distinctions often made between clergy and laity, Jew and Gentile, master and servant, man and woman. All people now had equal access to God and to his salvation, and equal opportunity for worship and service.

And then the earth shook and rocks were split in pieces! The event was, quite literally, earth-shaking, as the natural environment responded to the death of its creator. Burial chambers broke open, probably through the force of the earthquake. Then something occurred that no earthquake could achieve: the bodies of many dead people returned to life (verse 52)! The death of Jesus Christ triggered the resurrection of God's people, and his resurrection guarantees our future resurrection when he returns to earth. There was no other death like it, before or since; in this regard also the death of Jesus was unique.

But his death also had eternal consequences. Immediately before he died, Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). What was finished? The work he came to earth to accomplish. Michelangelo, the Renaissance artist of Sistine Chapel fame, was a genius. He excelled as a sculptor, designer, painter and architect. His statues of Moses and David are widely recognized and appreciated. What many people don't know is that in Florence, there's an entire hall filled with his 'unfinished' sculptural works. As great an artist as he was, he left much unfinished.

Jesus left no unfinished work - he accomplished everything he came to do. He completed his monumental mission. Hebrews 2:9 says with majestic simplicity, "In that death, by God's grace, he fully experienced death in every person's place" (The Message). Jesus not only died - he died in your place. He died so you could have life. He suffered so you could find peace. He endured the darkness of Calvary so you could experience the light of the Good News. He endured the curse so you could enjoy the blessing. He was alienated from God so you could be reconciled to God.

He who never did wrong suffered under the agonizing weight of your wrongs, so you could be put right with God. "He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on" (1 Peter 2:24, LB).In his death Jesus demonstrated God's love for us in the fullest possible way, achieved total victory over evil, and made our salvation possible. He was not merely a good man who died as an example of virtue or meekness; he was the perfect God who took our burdens of sin and guilt and made them his burden. His death was not an example to inspire us but a sacrifice to save us!

As John Stott says, "A pattern cannot secure our pardon . . . an example can stir our imagination, kindle our idealism and strengthen our resolve, but it cannot cleanse the defilement of our past sins, bring peace to our troubled conscience or reconcile us to God" (Basic Christianity 1971:89). Only the death of the holy Son of God could achieve those purposes. His death was an example, but it was much more than that. It was the only way God could bring you into relationship with himself, into his glorious kingdom, his new community. Jesus' death was unique because it was perfectly timed, it was a priceless act of worship, and it had supernatural consequences; but above all his death had eternal consequences, our salvation.

The Cross: Victory over hatred, despair and violence

Dr. Fr. Davis George

It has been rightly said by Mazinni “A person may die, but the truth implanted by him can never die.”  History bears a testimony to the indisputable powers of non violence and truth.  There have been many people who have endured great suffering and pain and emerged victorious in life.  Lives of great people would bear testimony to the courage of conviction and willingness to pay the price for the same.  Such people live on in the minds and hearts of people.  Their example motivates and inspires others to take the road less traveled.  And yet stories of hatred, violence, despair and destruction loom large in the news headlines.  Confronted with problems, pain, unjust suffering and challenging situations, farmers, students, couples and others often take the short cut of ending their lives.  Suicide, murder, violence seem to take the upper hand.   Some people think that might is right and muscle power can settle scores.  Endurance and perseverance often take a back seat.

It is in this context we must reflect on the crucifixion and death of Christ on Good Friday.  A man who went around doing good, who made the lame walk, the lepers clean, the deaf hear and the dump speak was accused and condemned due to vested interests, by religious leaders of his time who could not face the light of truth as propounded by Jesus of Nazareth.  Those who believed in religious fundamentalism, who never practiced what they preached, who only practiced piety to get appreciation and approval those who ignored the cries of the poor, fabricated cases against the innocent Messiah and felt victories in his physical death.  This very act paved the way for eternal life; Jesus destroyed death by dying on the cross and confirmed eternal life for humanity by rising from the dead on the third day.

Christ’s death on the cross signified the victory of love over hatred and cruelty.  The Roman soldiers had spears and swords and their hatred towards him would culminate in his death on the cross. But their hatred and cruelty received only one response – forgiveness.  All through Jesus’s life there have been two great approaches to life, one against the other.  On the one side was hatred and on the other was love.  They beat him with a whip until his back was an open wound.  They drove nails through his hands and suspended him upon a cross.  All day long the battle raged.  Hate surrounded him on all sides.  But love upheld him.   When the battle was over, hate lay beaten in the dust.  Christ’s non-violence represents the impotence of hatred when confronted by the power of love.

The cross is also a symbol of faith’s victory over cynicism and despair.  Many of us, unfortunately, seldom recognize this hidden conflict.  We have given up searching for the meaning of life or contemplating over its apparent absurdities.  We are too busy with the mundane.  Fortunately, for the most part, life treats us reasonably well on the surface.  But this is not true of all people.   Many have more than their share of tragedy.  The pain and injustice that they see on every side cause them to lose all faith in God and in life.  If ever there was a person who had the right to doubt God, and to despair of the human race, and to become cynical about life, that person was Jesus.  But listen to him as he prays for his persecutors, “Father forgive them, they know not what they are doing.”  Listen to him as he tells a dying thief that they will be together in paradise.  Listen to him as he says, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  Through all the injustice and pain, his faith in goodness and justice did not fail.  He kept on believing in God, he kept on believing in people, believing in life.  At Calvary, Faith won a resounding victory over cynicism and despair.

Finally, the Cross represents the victory of non-victory over force.  Jesus looked so weak on that cross that day.  He had no sword and no spear, and not even one soldier on his side.  All his kith and kin were onlookers from afar. The only thing he could do was to pray to seek forgiveness for his enemies and then die.  The world had never witnessed a more pitiful display of willful helplessness than that.  Though he could, he did not call a battalion of angels to come to his defense.  He simply died.  For some time it simply seemed that violence was the victor.  But two thousand years later, we commemorate not the military might, but a man who died on the cross.  That apparent defeat at Calvary has turned out to be the greatest victory of all time.     It has given Jesus an unparalleled place in history.  Without striking a blow, he has conquered more hearts and changed more minds and inspired more deeds than Caesar’s soldiers ever dreamed.

Mahatma Gandhi applied the power of non violence to political situation on a mass scale against the strongest colonial power and then established that non violence is the weapon of the strong and not the weak.  He often spoke of soul force and brute force.  Gandhi said, “An eye for an eye will make both blind.”   Though non violence and truth, Mahatmas Gandhi could bring political freedom tour country and at the same time he dreamed for a greater freedom of the spirit.”  The non violent suffering of our countrymen reminded us that the Cross really is a symbol of victory.  It is not strange that on Good Friday we celebrate faith rather than doubt.  Two thousand years have passed that only non-violence can combat and defeat brute force.  Do we dare to believe it?  But what is more important, do we dare to try it?

He is guilty and must die!

Dr. Fr. Davis George

Terror struck again of the fateful 26/11.  Innocent people were killed; brave police officers became martyr for the nation.  The entire country was paralyzed and terror stricken.  In an encounter with the police at Girgaum Chopatty, Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist in the attacks, was caught injured and is still in police custody.   Though he has confessed his involvement in the heinous crime and the entire country judging and awaiting for his death, still he has not been given the deserving punishment.  A terrorist caught in the act of crime.  But what is the verdict?

Jesus was found guilty by the High Priest, scribes, Pharisees and the unruly crowd during his life-time, gave the verdict that he is guilty and must die.  Guilty of what?  Guilty of telling he is the Son of God and the Messiah.  Guilty of telling them he has to suffer and die for the sins committed by others.

Guilty of healing people on a Sabbath day, guilty of giving hope and life to those who live in darkness of sin and death, guilty of going about doing good, guilty of criticism outward show of religion, guilty of showing that God is their loving father and they in turn are brothers and sisters, guilty of telling that He is the way, the truth and life, guilty of telling that even after crucification and death, He will rise again on the third day.  What a paradox of life, God who came not to condemn the world but to save the world, has been condemned and crucified just like any other criminal of his time.  Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not came to be saved, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous.”

Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of Christ, in some ways represents the very heart of Christianity – the voluntary, substitutionary and propitiatory death of Jesus Christ.  Gibson did not find any meaning in worldly riches and fame.  He became an addict of drugs and alcohol and even contemplated committing suicide.  Then he reportedly turned to the Bible and found purpose and meaning in Jesus Christ.

The big question is not ‘Who crucified Christ’; it is ‘Why Jesus was crucified’.  The answer this movie provides us is, as Gibson himself reported to Diane Sawyer of ABC, “He was pierced for our transgressions, and he was wounded and we are healed”. (Is 53:5).

Jesus Christ died for our sins.  He did not defend himself, Isaiah 53:7-9 speaks about the silent suffering servant of the Lord.  Verse 7 can be translated this way, “Though He was oppressed, He was submissive and did not open His mouth.”

He submitted to being arrested, mocked, spat upon beaten, stripped, struck down, forced to carry His own cross, and crucified.  The question we must ask is about the nature of his response.

Isaiah says, “He did not open his mouth”.  Why did he not protest his great injustice?  Why did he not open his mouth and defend himself?  Why did he strand there and take all this abuse submissively?

Even Jeremiah, the great prophet protested.  Even Mahatma Gandhi called for non-violent resistance.  But Jesus Christ offered no resistance at all, violent or non-violent.  The gospel accounts tell us that He did not defend himself before Annas, Capiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Herod Antipas, or the Roman governor Pilate.

In Mt.27:12-14 we read, “When He was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He gave no answer.  Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge to the great amazement of the governor.”  Isaah predicted this non-defensive and non-complaining attitude of the suffering servant.

“Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.   In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.” (Is 42:2-3).

“The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.  I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my break; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” (Is 50:5-7)

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.  They sought false testimony against him.  Two came forward and said,  “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build in three days.”  And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

Jesus said to him, “You have said so.  But I tell you; hereafter you will see the son of an sated at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his robes, and said, “He has uttered blasphemy.  Why do we still need witnesses?  You have heard his blasphemy.  What is your judgment?’

They answered, “He deserved death.”  Then they spat on his face, and struck him; and some slapped him, later they shouted again and again, “Let him be crucified.”  (Mt. 56:57-68).

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus in to the practorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him.  And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand.  And kneeling before him they mocked him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.  And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “you who would destroy the temple and built it in three days, save yourself!  If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

So also the chief priest, with the scribes and elders, mocked him saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.  He is the king of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  Jesus could have come down from the cross and saved himself.  But then, he would not have been Savior of the world.

After forty days of fasting as He came out of the desert, the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to became loaves of bread.”

Jesus did not succumb to playing to the gallery and taking short cuts.  Jesus, thus, followed the eternal plan of salvation and showed the unconditional love of God.”

While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man-though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.  “Bust God show his love for us in than while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”  (Rom 5:6-8).  And yet, he was found guilty of death.  What a paradox?

Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world (Jn 3:16-17).  He did not condemn the women caught in adultery but showed His compassion and forgiveness.  Jesus visited the house of Zachaeous which made the latter repent and change his life.  Mathew the tax collector detested by others, was chosen as his apostle.

The repentant thief who sought forgiveness was promised heaven while dying on the cross.  On the cross Jesus prayed for forgiveness for those who were persecuting him.  All those who touched him in faith were healed.  All those who encountered him were transformed.

His life, suffering death and resurrection changed the history of the world.  By dying on the cross, Jesus destroyed death and by rising from the death on the third day.  He established that He is the resurrection and the life and that those believe in Him shall gain eternal life.”

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know He holds the future, my life is worth the living just because He lives.”

Jesus made himself obedient unto death, even death on a cross

Dr. Fr. Davis George

In the first week of February 2011 a group of us visited the Holy Land. We saw the place where Jesus was born, places where he worked miracles, the Synagogue where he taught, the Sea of Galilee where he walked, Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured, Gethsemane where his sweat became blood while praying, and Mount Calvary where he was crucified on the cross.  It was very touching and heart -breaking.  We were taken to a pit where he was kept the whole night as if he was a dreaded criminal. Centuries before the birth and death of the Messiah it was written, “I am reckoned among those who go down to the Pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom thou dost remember no more, for they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep…. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow” (Ps 88: 4-9). What a paradox: the Creator of the world at the mercy of his own creation; what a cost he had to pay for the salvation of human kind, “Although he was in the form of God, a thing to be grasped he emptied himself and became a human being” (Phil 2:1).  He gave up all his heavenly prerogatives and identified himself with sinners so much so that he was taken as a sinner. And yet, he was treated like a criminal and crucified on the cross on Good Friday. The Bible tells us that they put a crown of thorns on him,  struck him on his head and  spat upon him , laughed at him and,  humiliated him publicly; made him carry the cross, torturing him at every step. Centuries before the birth of Christ prophet Isaiah had prophesied about the birth and death of the Messiah, that he would be a suffering servant and will die a shameful death for the salvation of human kind. It is written in the Bible “Ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. But , we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God and brought low. He was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed” (Is 53:4-5). But why an innocent man had to die like this?

In the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, Jesus was tempted by the devil to give up the way of the cross and obey the designs of the devil. He was asked to make use of his divine powers and take short cut to achieve his mission in life. He was asked to disobey his Father’s plan of saving the world. Jesus’ answer was an emphatic no to the devil and his allurements (Mt 4:1-10).  Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish and people wanted to immediately make him a king, who can wield political power. Very poignantly it is recorded, “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by himself” (Jn 6:15). Again Jesus refused to disobey his fathers plan for him. Jesus told his disciples many times that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised from the dead. Peter did not want this to happen to his Master. Jesus rebuked him saying, “Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men” (Mt 16:23). While dying on the cross, he was challenged to come down from the cross and prove that he is Christ (Mk 15:30-32). Jesus opted to obey his Father and his plan of saving the world. How true, he made himself obedient unto death, even death on the cross (Phil 2:8). It was not easy for him to obey and accept such humiliation and mental and physical torture. In the garden of Gethsemane he cried out and prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mk 14:36). The human face of the only begotten son of God is seen in the following words from the scripture: “In the day of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplication, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Heb 5:7-8). Jesus’ only aim was to accomplish his Father’s will and do always what is pleasing to him (Jn. 8:29).

On Good Friday we look at the cross and try to experience the power in the cross. The doctrine of the cross is sheer folly to those on their way to ruin, but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of God…. Jews call for miracles, Greeks for wisdom. But we proclaim Christ- yes, Christ nailed to the cross…. He is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1Cor 1:18-24). On the cross we see how Jesus emptied himself of the divine prerogatives which was certainly his due, but made himself obedient, yes even death on a cross.  Adam disobeyed God and sin entered the world; Jesus obeyed his father and salvation was brought to all humanity. Jesus made obedience and accomplishing his father’s will the central part of his teaching. In uncompromising terms Jesus said that whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother (Mt 12:50).

Knowing Christ costs nothing; but obeying him costs everything. It is easy to go on a pilgrimage, but difficult to obey Him. Going to the Holy Land costs only money but obeying him costs everything. Taking part in Mass and other pious devotions cost nothing but obeying him costs everything.  Are we here on this Good Friday to know more about Christ or to listen to his words and obey him? The crucified Lord who is alive in our midst, tells us to obey him; it is said that obedience is better than sacrifice.  In our moments of prayer, when we listen and reflect on the Scripture, he continues to speak to us: Forgive your enemies; forgive your wife, your husband, your children your parents, and, anyone who has hurt you. Do we obey him? He tells us to overcome evil with good; bless those who persecute you. Do we obey or indulge in retaliation. Knowing Christ costs nothing, obeying him costs everything. He tells us to be humble and serve one another with love. But we are prone to do this only according to our likes. He tells us not to be mere listeners of the Word but doers of the Word. He tells us to deny ourselves, take up the cross daily and follow him. Do we obey? He tells us to worship him in spirit and in truth and not just mumble meaningless words. Do we obey? 

On Good Friday we see the meaning of obedience. Abraham obeyed and followed his commandments and was even ready to sacrifice his only son. Mary obeyed God and followed her son till the last. We want children to obey parents; students- teachers; wife- husband; husband – wife. And yet, we don’t want to obey God.  Salvation is in obedience. Obedience is the foundation of faith. Obedience is the response to love. That is what we see on the Cross. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Prayers are heard because we obey his commandments. On this Good Friday let us not do lips service. Let us surrender our lives and make a decision and commitment to obey him. Knowing Christ costs nothing; obeying him costs everything. 

During World War II planes used to land in make shift air strips and as soon as they land they would be taken to place of safety which even the pilots did not know. As soon as the plane stops a small vehicle comes on which was written follow me and the vehicle would pull the plane to safety. In the same way in our life’s battle field only Jesus can take us to place of safety and security, peace and contentment, healing and salvation provided we obey Him, take up our cross daily and follow Him.

Everything is complete!

Dr. Fr. Davis George

It was three o’clock. Jesus called for water. He could hardly speak. A soldier fixed a sponge on a spear and held it up to his lips. It was terribly bitter but it was enough. He strained to raise his head and look up to heaven. "It is finished," he cried and then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. The words of Jesus from the cross were not the words of a “victim” but the shouts of a “victor”! He did not say “I am finished”! He said, “It is finished!” It is like the cry of one who comes first in 400 meters run at the Olympics and gets the gold medal.  I have made it.

At the time, the moment was filled with too much emotion for those words to sink in and to ponder what they meant. But later as the early Christians read John’s Gospel and heard again those words, it dawned on them just how powerful these dying words of Jesus were. John wrote his Gospel in Greek, and those last words of Jesus are just one word in Greek – tetelestai (pronounced te-tel-es-sty).

The expression "It is finished" or tetelestai was well known to them. It was a part of everyday language. When a servant had completed a difficult job that his master had given him to do, he would say to the master – tetelestai - "I have overcome all the difficulties; I have done the job to the best of my ability. It is finished". When the Jewish people went to the temple with their sacrifice, the High Priest would examine what was brought. Most likely, he didn’t speak Greek but he would use the Hebrew equivalent of tetelestai – meaning, "Your offering is accepted; it is perfect". When an artist had finished a painting or a sculpture he would stand back and say, tetelestai – it is finished; there is nothing more that can be done to make this piece of art any better. This painting is complete.

All those who heard the word tetelestai  understood that Jesus is saying that his job of saving the world has been completed. He has finished the task and nothing can be added to what has been done. Jesus has paid the price in full – he has cancelled all debt. His sacrifice has been a perfect one, acceptable to the heavenly Father who, looking down on his Son hanging lifelessly from the cross, said, "Well done, this is my dear Son with whom I am well pleased". Tetelestai – it is finished. Everything is complete!

What is it that is finished when Jesus says, "It is finished"?

Reconciliation is accomplished. Reconciliation between God and sinful human beings who had gone away from his love. By his cross he was reconciling the world unto himself. (2 Cor 5:19) A terrible gap has come between God and all humanity caused by sin and evil. God created a perfect beautiful world and he made people to live in harmony and peace with one another. But look what’s happened. We all know what an effect our poorly chosen words and lack of consideration have on our relationship with family members and friends. Greed and selfishness destroy friendship and separate people and nations. Sin has a devastating effect on our relationship with God. Sin separates us from God and if we want to have any hope of going to heaven to be with God, then someone had to deal with sin and restore our relationship with God. So God sent his Son into the world for this very purpose.

Jesus died on the cross to get rid of the power of sin and wages of sin which is death. His death bridged the deep gulf between God and us. "Salvation is accomplished", Jesus cried. The restoration of the friendship between God and humanity has been finished. The task for which God's Son came to earth has been completed. He has won forgiveness for all people. Nothing else needs to be done. Salvation is complete. "It is finished".

That’s why we call today "Good Friday". It certainly wasn’t a good day for Jesus. He endured pain, soul-wrenching agony, hanging by the nails in his hands for hours, death on a rough wooden cross, for our sake. We call today "Good Friday" because the cross is proof of the powerful love that God has for each of us. No one, not even God, would do something like that unless he truly loved us. Here we see a love that was prepared to endure the ultimate in order to rescue us.

There is the story of priest who offered his life in place of a teenage boy in Nazi Germany. (Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe, volunteered to die in place of a teenage boy whom he did not know in the Nazi German death camp of Auschwitz,  World War II.)  His offer was accepted and the priest died to save the boy’s life.

And then there was the young soldier who had been condemned to death by Oliver Cromwell. He was to be shot at the ringing of the curfew bell. His fiancée climbed the bell tower and tied herself to the clapper of the giant bell so that it would not ring. When the bell did not ring, soldiers went to investigate and found the girl battered and bleeding from being bashed against the sides of the bell. Cromwell was so impressed by her love for the young man that he was pardoned.

Because of love, people do extraordinary things for others. Paul writes, "God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! … We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son." (Romans 5:8,10). That’s how much God loves us – Jesus died for us even though we don’t deserve it. His death has made us God's friends.

Jesus' announcement, "It is finished" is clear and simple. Jesus has completed his task. The reason why he came as a human has been fulfilled. He came so that you and I can have forgiveness and salvation. He came to give us the victory. He came to ensure that we would enter his kingdom and live forever.

Invitation and Challenge

The cross of Jesus was far more than death, suffering and blood. The cross of Jesus was a place of testimony. It was here that God made His greatest declaration of love for lost humanity, (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10). Christ’s greatest work was accomplished on the cross. When He raised Lazarus from the dead, He helped one man and his family. When He healed the lepers; delivered the demoniacs; opened the blind eyes and healed diseased, twisted bodies; He was helping one person and one family at a time. When He fed the 5,000 thousand, He helped 5,000 men plus women and children. But, when He died on the cross, Jesus was making a difference for every member of Adam’s family who would look to Him by faith. It wasn’t just one man; but it was “whosoever will”, (Rom. 10:13; Rev. 22:17). He could have saved Himself, but He stayed on the cross to save sinners!

What is the cross of Jesus to you? Is it merely a piece of jewelry? Is it just a religious symbol? Is it a talisman(of course we don't believe in this) you hang over your bed to keep the devil away? Is it pure foolishness? Or, is the cross the “power of God unto salvation”? If you will heed the message of the cross, you will find that salvation is still available. You will find that God can still save souls; change eternal destinies and transform sinners into saints of God. (“The Old Rugged Cross”) 

The Ultimate Auction

Dr. Fr. Davis George

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflicts broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.   He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.’ The young man held out this package. ‘I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but think your son would have wanted you to have this.’

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.  He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. ‘Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.’  The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.  The man died a few months later. Thereafter a great auction of his paintings was held. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform where the painting of the son was on display, the auctioneer pounded his gavel. ‘We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?’ There was silence. Then a voice at the back of the room shouted, ‘We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.’ But the auctioneer persisted. ‘Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?’ Another voice cried angrily. ‘We didn’t come to see this painting.

We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandt’s. Get on with the real bids!’ But still the auctioneer continued. ‘The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?’  Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. ‘I’ II give $10 for the painting.’ Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. ‘We have $10, who will bid $20?’ The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. ‘Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!’ A man sitting on the second row shouted, ‘Now let’s get on with the collection!’ The auctioneer laid down his gavel. ‘I’ am sorry, the auction is over.’ ‘What about the paintings?’ ‘I am sorry, when I was called to conduct this auction; I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this moment. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who takes the son gets everything!’

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: ‘the son! The son! Who’ll take the son?’ Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”  (John 3:16-17)  He loved them to the end.  (John 13:1)   Someone asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?  He stressed out his hands on the Cross and said “this much”.   How true, “While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man-though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.  But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

On Good Friday, God manifested his unconditional love for human kind.  It is only on the cross that we see the face of God. We look at the sun and see the energy of God. We look at the stars and see the infinity of God. We look at the atom and see the complexity of God. But it is only on the cross that we see the face of God’s love.  It is only on the cross that we see a love so great that God was willing to die for me. It is only on the cross that we hear the statement, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15: 13).