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Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, Hope of the world. Understanding the culture and language  in which he was reared helps to better understand His teachings.

JESUS' DESTINY

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" That is to say, My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken Me? Some of them who stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.  (Mathew 27: 46,47)    The Aramaic word shbakthani is derived from shbak which means to keep, reserve, leave, spare, forgive, allow, permit. The last letter of the word shbakcthani indicates first person singular.    Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani  reads, "My God, my God, for this I was kept" or "spared". That is to say, it was my destiny to die this kind of death. It does not mean, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" as translated in the King James Version, nor is there anything in the tone of his cry to suggest an appeal for help. In his prayer in the garden Jesus had overcome all limitations of his body and left the outcome to his Father.    The Aramaic words for "forsaken me" are "taatani" derived from taa, to forsake or forget and "nashatani" from nasha, to forsake or forget.     If Jesus had meant he was forsaken by God, he would no doubt have used the word "taatani" or "nashatani" and the people near the cross would have understood.  The Galileans who were present knew he actually meant his destiny was fulfilled. This is why none of the Apostles have commented on his saying.  Had Jesus meant forsaken, St Paul at least would not have missed its significance.  The soldiers and the Jews standing near the cross did not understand what he said because Jesus spoke Galilean Aramaic.  If Jesus meant God had forsaken him, the Jews would have made an issue out of it and declared he was a condemned sinner.    The Jews thought he was calling on Elijah because in Aramaic the word for Elijah is Elia and for God, it is Eli. They thought Jesus was appealing to Elijah for help.    Furthermore, the Jews could not have conceived Jesus would have said God had forsaken him because Easterners believe the manner of a man's death is predestined and when death comes nigh, they believe God is closer to them.    This is in accordance with the teaching of Jesus. For three years he had preached that God is a loving Father, aware of the fall of the sparrow. Jesus always felt God was with him.  Even when he spoke of his death, he predicted his disciples would forsake him but his Father would stand by. "You will leave me alone; and yet I am not alone because the Father is with me." (John 16:32) On the journey to Jerusalem he said that "The Son of Man was to be delivered to the high priests and crucified and rise on the third day." (Mathew 20:18) Again he said to pilate "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." (John 18:37)    His last words addressed to his loving Father were not, "Father avenge them" or "Father save me" but "Father forgive them" and "O, my Father, into thy hands I commit my Spirit. " Through out his suffering Jesus was conscious God was with him and that he was not deserted.  He was not questioning God's wisdom like Elijah but surrendering to God in uttermost confidence and with the assurance of ultimate victory.           "My God, my God, for this I was kept!"           This is my destiny for which I was born.         "My God, my God, for what purpose am I here!"            For this very purpose am I reserved. Translation from "The Gospel Light" by George M Lamsa from the Aramaic language of Jesus' time.

(c)Art by Danny Hahlbohm

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