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An Attempt To Listen To God

Meditations On The Passion Of The Lord

Study to shew thyself approved unto God . . . 2 Timothy 2:15

Introduction

There are many things in which it is little consequence if we make a mistake or not, but, when it comes to the Person and work of our Lord there is no room for the slightest iota of error. Consequently, in seeking to communicate ones meditations on the sufferings of our Lord, great care must be taken. At times the right word cannot be found, and for this I ask for grace. When we are privileged by the Holy Spirit to be led into a portion of the sufferings of Christ, we quickly realize personal inability to describe the words needed, much less have the spiritual grasp of the truths known intellectually. One soon learns that such are the inexhaustible riches of the passion. No created beings can comprehend its depths nor proclaim the excellencies of the Holy Sufferer. Consequently, any attempt to delve into His anticipated agonies and deep afflictions are vain attempts to grasp the ungraspable.

This series of meditations is not meant to be a theological nor legal commentary (except when dealing with the falsity of the trials of the Lord), but rather a historical devotional reflection. Its focus is not to expand knowledge but for heart appreciation, which will lead to worship and adoration. Christian bookstores have many books which deal with the outcome of the passion, i.e. redemption, justification, etc., which are excellent in the purpose for which they are written. This series of meditations is to concentrate on the person of the passion.

A consideration of the New Testament epistles will clearly indicate that one of the prominent factors for the full liberation and blessing of the people of God is bringing before them the sacrifice of Christ. It is this that rectifies the moral and spiritual condition of His people. Few could be found who would disagree in saying that the spiritual life of the people of God is low. Evidently, when sin is not taken seriously, then personal spiritual development, and conformity to the sympathies of the Lord are not a priority. The result is that the non activity of the Holy Spirit in salvation and maturing of the saints becomes the norm. Satan has used tradition and legalism to blind the minds and hearts of the saints to true spirituality, which is likeness to God and Christ. It is not mechanically copying what He would do, or formally fulfilling functions. This is what Israel did, and the Lord made it clear that their feasts etc. were an abomination to Him. True spirituality is when His life, His sympathies, His hates, His loves, and His cares are being outlived in our lives by His living in us, and our abiding in Him.

It is my desire that by a fresh look at the passion of our Lord and appreciating the preciousness of that which He has done, our spiritual life will become the priority for living.

There are times when one feels very much like Moses, when the voice came from the burning bush and he realized that he was on holy ground. In the mediation of our Lord's sufferings one becomes acutely aware that this is most holy ground. The immediate consideration is: “Where do we begin?” In many ways it becomes a matter of personal choice, for one could go back to eternity past or, to the first promise concerning a Victorious Deliverer after the fall or, to the pre incarnation message to Mary or Simeon. Our choice is to begin from eternity past.

Paul to the Ephesians wrote: “He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Eph. 1:4). This is one of several truths we are told about before Genesis 1:1. It was in eternity past that Christ was foreordained to be the sacrificial Lamb (1 Pet. 1:19). We cannot call it a time for in eternity there is no time, indeed there was nothing except three magnificent persons. We have to go back to before there were the foundations of the world, back to a time when:
	1)	There were no stars
	2)	There were no planets
	3)	There was no Milky Way
	4)	There was no angelic strain filling the heavens with joy and glory sounds.

God, in the vastness of the past, laid the foundations of the world.
	1)	“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.” (Job 38:4)
	2)	“When He (God) gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth.” (Prov. 8:29)
	3)	There was no Milky Way
	4)	There was no angelic strain filling the heavens with joy and glory sounds.

However, in that sphere of love and glory, holiness intensified and sin erupted in the heart of Lucifer. God is never taken aback or trapped unwittingly. God knew the damage Satan would do to humanity by gaining their loyalties and giving them a distorted view of God, and the degradation into which man would fall. How insolent, arrogant, and blasphemous man would become, but perfect love hopeth all things and sought a way to bring man back into harmony with God. That was not sufficient for God. If Satan sought to show that God held something back due to lack of love, then God will show the fullness of his love by adding to that harmony all the blessings of fellowship and fullness of life. How could this be done?

In the perfection of God’s foreknowledge, He knew that which was in the heart of Lucifer, ultimately to be known as Satan or the devil. God knew the damage he would do to humanity in gaining their loyalties, and when gaining their loyalties, the distorted view that man would have on God. God would be seen as a spoil sport, not letting man have that which he wants, to give him happiness and make his life complete. This is a portrayal of the Garden of Eden.

In Titus there is an amazing statement: “God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2). In this verse we enter into the deepest council chambers of God, and are privy to the decision and determination in the Holy Trinity. The statement begs the questions: “What was it that God promised?” and “who was the promise made to?”

There was no man, no angels, and in the vastness of eternity dwelt the three glorious persons of the trinity and as one the promise of eternal life was made. “God promised Himself that he would bring man back into the fullness of life divine persons enjoyed, and all for “the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:6) ⃰. This was pledged by the God who cannot lie. The God who is the “God of truth” (Deut. 32:4; Psa. 31:5; Isa. 65:16), and of whom the Holy Spirit bears witness: “It impossible for Him to lie” (Heb. 6:18). In the planning and provision of salvation it was: “according to His own purpose and grace” (2 Tim. 1:9). We were given as God’s love gift to Christ (Jn. 17:9,11, 24), being chosen in Him “before the world began” (Eph. 1:4).
⃰ Three times over in Eph. 1 is the expression: “to the praise of His glory”. It is found in vv. 6, 12, 14. In vv 3-6 there is the will of God which has to do with us in the past and present, it will all be for His glory; vv 7-12 has to do with the work of Christ, and again, it has to do with the past and the future and will all be for his glory: vv 13-14 it is the witness of the Holy Spirit and it relates to the past and present, connecting to the future, and again it is all for His glory.

Divine persons therefore sought to find a way to:
	1)	Righteously deal with the matter of sin and rebellion.
	2)	Bring man into a perfect condition that he never had before.
	3)	Clear the name of God from all distortion.
	4)	Absolutely remove Satan.
	5)	Completely divest his citadel of death.
	6)	Entirely liberate those who are his captives and dupes.
	7)	Obliterate his government that it never rises again.

This still leaves the question “How was this possible?” and more important, “How could it be guaranteed?” The answer is given by the apostle Peter: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Pet. 1:18-20). Christ was the Lamb who would carry away the sin of the world.

The Happenings In Eternity Past

In the vastness of eternity past, God thought of us. He thought of us before we were ever born, he thought of us before we knew that which had been done for us, he thought of us before we ever learnt or began to appreciate the travail he went through and before we ever learned, or are learning, the love he has for us.

Illus.

Some years ago my daughter was about to have her little baby. Way in advance all was prepared long before she was ever born, before she ever know anything had been done, before she knew the travail suffered before she was born, before she knew the love there was for her. So with us, the Lord had wondrous pledges made with blessings and purposes planned before we were ever born, indeed, before the creation of the world. (Eph. 1:4)


1)	Eternity Past
		a)	“He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him.” (Eph. 1:4)

		b)	Go back before the foundations
			i)	God laid the foundations:
				1.	“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.” (Job 38:4)
			ii)	Christ personified as wisdom was there:
				1.	“When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth.” (Prov. 8:29)

		c)	Into the incomprehension of eternity past:
			i)	A sphere of perfect love:
				1.	“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedest me before the foundation of the world.” (Jn. 17:24)
			ii)	A sphere of perfect glory:
				1.	“Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” (Jn. 17:5)
				2.	All was by God in origin, sustained by God, and for God’s glory.

			Divine persons found a way to:
				1.	Righteously deal with the matter of sin and rebellion:
					(a)	“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:24-26)

				2.	Bring man into an ultimate perfect condition that he never had before, that of being like Christ:
					(a)	“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as He is.” (1 Jn. 3:2)

				3.	To clear the name of God from all distortion. In the garden of Eden Satan had intimated that God didn’t really love, for love delights to give all it can give. Thus, God was holding back on giving man the best he could be given and restricting his potential.

				4.	To absolutely remove Satan, his government, and all his sympathizers so that they never rise again:
					(a)	“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Rev. 20:10)
					(b)	“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Rev. 19:20)
					(c)	“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15)

				5.	To completely divest his citadel of death:
					(a)	“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14)

				6.	To entirely liberate those who were his captives and dupes:
					(a)	“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal. 5:1)
					(b)	“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (Jn. 8:36)

In looking through the scriptures, clearly the sacrifice of our Lord was not a “plan B” situation after man sinned in Eden.

Prophecies Concerning Our Lord

When we consider the cross and God, then we must think outside the box of God’s love, mercy and grace. Precious as these truths are there are other aspects of God that are manifested at Calvary. It is at the cross that there is, one might say, the supreme manifestation of the foreknowledge of God as seen in:
	1)	The prophecies fulfilled
	2)	The sovereignty of God in the happenings? ⃰
	3)	The holiness of God in its execution
	4)	The wisdom of God
	5)	The power of God
		⃰ God caused others to have experiences which in themselves would foreshadow the sufferings of the Lord.

The prophecies are important for a number of reasons.

First an illustration: I’m driving along an unfamiliar road. While I know where I am going I am not sure if I am on the right path. I stop and I’m given the following directions. I’m told that after 2 km. I will see a garage with an old spinning wheel on the right hand side, there I must turn left. Go another 6 km. and I will come to a cross roads with a stately oak on the right hand side. And so the directions go on. It is completely irrelevant what I think or know. As long as I see those signs I know I am on the right track.

By giving humanity prophecies they became the sign posts for the recognition of the true Messiah. This is how we can know Jesus is Messiah.

God gives irrefutable evidence by:
	1)	Prophecies given by literary writings of the prophets.
	2)	Visual activities, religious ritual etc.

The unwitting fulfilling of these by various groups of people: the soldiers, women standing at a distance, by the method of death, afflictions before hand, and by religious leaders; these all bear witness to the Sonship and Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth.

One after another each prophetic message and picture authenticated who Jesus was. This resulted in, and still results in stabilizing the faith of the saints; the confidence of being assured that God is sovereign therefore always in control; comfort derived from knowing that when we live in fellowship with God, everything is planned and falls into its place in His perfect time, and nothing can thwart His activities.

Presented here is what I perceive to be the “key” prophecies and pictures. Another person may judge others to be the “key” ones. If these help us to worship because of a deeper appreciation of the wonder of God’s glory in foreknowledge and Christ’s ability, then this paper will have done its work.

Such is the importance of prophecy that every member of the Godhead is involved in the giving or authenticity of them.

God spoke through the prophets: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets” (Heb. 1:1).

The Holy Spirit Spoke Through The Prophets:

	1)	“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” (1 Pet. 1:10-11)
	2)	“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:3)
	3)	The Lord endorsed the prophecies after His resurrection and they had been accomplished. “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Lk. 24:26-27)

Because the sacrificial prophecies point forward to the Cross, and all else is affected by it, the sacrificial work of the Lord becomes the pivotal point for all moral evaluations and all eternal destinies. It is the foundation for all the purposes of God for Christ, and that includes the eternal defeat of Satan and the “as-if-he–never–existed” profoundness. Tragically, the same goes for every Christ rejecter in that while we live in the bliss of eternal light, they will never come to mind again, they will languish in Hell and never come to mind or heart.

It is important to appreciate that the first indications of the prophecies, and the prophecies themselves concerning the sufferings and sacrifice of the Lord, are a gradual unfolding of its truth.

The very first prophecy concerning this theme is in (Gen. 3:15). It clarified the fact that despite all appearances, Satan would ultimately be defeated. This was a clear unmistakable prophecy and Satan knew it. He also knew that he had no ability to stop it, for God had promised eternal life before the world began, and Christ was the Lamb appointed before the world began. Satan knew that the purposes of God could never be foiled and all that he could do was vainly try to prevent them.

The first indication on earth that there would be a Saviour was in the provision of the sacrifice before man ever sinned, indeed, before man ever was created! The animals were created (Gen. 1:24), but it was not until (Gen. 3:6) that sin entered the world. This was a twofold foreshadowing.

	1)	Firstly: The truth of (Gen. 22:14) when Abram called the place Jehovah-jireh, which means: “The Lord will provide or the Lord hath seen”.
	2)	Secondly: In the coats of skin there is the truth of a covering for sin provided by a blood sacrifice. As such, it was the foreshadowing of atonement.

This made several aspects of God very clear. It was a revelation of the foreknowledge of God in knowing the needs of humanity for the restoring of fellowship, and secondly, it was a manifestation of His grace in providing a sacrifice.

God continues to add truths to these basic thoughts:
	1)	In the sacrifice of Abel there is added the truth of acceptability through blood.
	2)	Concerning Isaac and the ram, the truth of substitution.
	3)	In Ex. 12 there is the truth of redemption
	4)	In Lev. 1,3,4,5,6, there is added the truth of maintained or restored fellowship through sacrifice.

The prophecies fall into several groupings:
	1)	Those which are singular, that is a single statement
	2)	Those which are multiple, that is a series compacted together as in Isa. 53
	3)	Those which are lliterary prophecies
	4)	Those which are pictorial prophecies
	5)	Those which are pointers to the experiences of the Lord but are not truly prophecies. ⃰
		⃰ A true prophecy from the Old testament is specifically spoken of as such, others are allusions. For instance, Joseph is never said to be a type of Christ, Moses is, Melchisedec is, they are true types.

The prophecies and indications of the Passion are chronologically divided into several sections. Those which deal with:
	1)	That which Christ was as the sacrifice.
	2)	The betrayal.
	3)	The sufferings at the hand of man.
	4)	The experiences of the Lord in the three hours of darkness.
	5)	His death.
	6)	His burial.
	7)	His resurrection.

An Example Of Those Which Deal With His Positions:

He was to be a prophet

Fulfilled

Deut. 18:15, 18 –“The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thy brethren. . . I will put my words in his mouth.”

Acts 3:20 – Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet

Lk. 7:16 – A great prophet is risen

As a Preacher

Fulfilled

Psa. 40:7, 9 – “.. it is written of me….I have preached….I have not refrained my lips, O Lord”

Isa. 52:7 – “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him …..that published peace; that bringeth salvation”

Isa. 61:1 – “. ..the Lord hath anointed me to preach”

Matt. 4:17 – “From that time Jesus began to preach”
Matt. 11– “…the poor have the gospel preached to them”

Mk. 2:2 – “…he preached the word unto them”
Lk 8:1 – “…he went throughout every city and village, preaching”

Lk 4:22 – “…all wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth”

An Example Of Those Which Deal With His Work

Fulfilled

Isa. 58:6 – “….loose the bands….undo the heavy burdens…..let the oppressed go free”

Lk. 4:17, 18

Miracles	Fulfilled
Isa. 35:5 – “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened”	Mk. 8:23 – “He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town.”

Those Which Deal With That Which Christ Was As The Sacrifice

Gen. 22:8 – “God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering”

Jn. 1:29 – “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”

Prov. 11:15 – “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it”

Heb. 7:22 – “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament”

Those Which Deal With The Lord’s Betrayal

Psa. 41:9 – “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

Jn. 13:18 – “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

For the Money He was Sold For	Fulfilled
Zech. 11:13 – “…Cast it unto the potter….I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord	Matt. 27:3-10 – “Judas…brought again the thirty pieces of silver….and cast the pieces of silver in the temple”

Those Which Deal With The Disciples And Acquaintances

Zech. 13:7 – “Smite the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered”

Mk. 14:27 – “And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.”

Psa. 31:11 – “I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.”

Matt. 26:56 – “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.”

Mk. 14:50 – “they all forsook him, and fled.

Psa. 38:11 – “My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.”

Psa. 88:8 – “Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them”

Mk. 15:40 – “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome”

Lk. 23:49 – “And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.”

Those Which Deal With The Sufferings At The Hand Of Man

His Accusations	Fulfilled
Psa. 109:2 – “…they have spoken against me with a lying tongue” Psa. 38:13 – Concerning the Lord it says: “…I was as a dumb man” Isa. 53:7 – “…he opened not his mouth”	Matt. 26:59 – “the chief priests….sought false witness against him” Matt. 27:14 – “…he answered him never a word”
Psa. 35:11 – “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not”	Matt. 26:59-60 – “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses”
Isa. 53:7 – “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”	Matt. 26:62-63 – “And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?” Matt. 27:12, 14 – “And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing... And he answered him to never a word” 1 Pet. 2:23 – “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not

Not a bone broken

Fulfilled

Ex. 12:46 – “In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.”

Psa. 34:20 – “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”

Jn. 19:36 – “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”

He was to be mocked and beaten	Fulfilled
Mic. 5:1 – “they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek” Isa. 50:6 – “I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting”	Matt. 26:67 – “…they smote him with the palms of their hands” Matt. 26:67, 68 – “Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him . . . that smote thee”
Isa. 53:12 – “He was numbered with the transgressors”	Mk. 15:28 – “And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.” Lk. 22:37 – “For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.”
Psa. 129:3 – “The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.”	Matt. 27:26 – “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” Mk. 15:15 – “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.” Jn. 19:1 – “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.”
Psa. 22:7-8 – “They shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him”	Matt. 27:41-43 – “Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.”
Psa. 22:13 – “They gaped upon me”	Matt. 27:36 – “Sitting down they watched Him there”

He was to be the object of shame and ridicule

Fulfilled

Psa. 109:25 – “…when they looked upon me they shook their heads”

Matt. 27:39 – “they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads”

Lk. 23:35 – “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”

He was to be pierced in his hands and feet

Fulfilled

Psa. 22:16 – “…they pierced my hands and my feet”

Isa. 53:12 – “He made intercession for the transgressors”

Jn. 20:25-29 – “…except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe”

Lk 23:34 – “Then he said: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”

His garments were to be gambled for

Fulfilled

Psa. 22:18 – “they part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture”

Jn. 19:23, 24 – “the soldiers took his garments, ….cast lots that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.”

Those Which Deal With The Three Hours Of Darkness

He was to be deserted by God	Fulfilled
Psa. 22:1 – “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”	Matt. 27:46 – “…Jesus cried with a loud voice, …My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Isa. 53:4b-5 – “Yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”	Rom. 5:6-8 – “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Pet. 3:18 – “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust”
Isa. 53:12 – “ He. . . bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”	Lk. 23:34 – “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Isa. 53:10 – “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin”	2 Cor. 5:21 – “For He hath made him to be sin for us”
Psa. 102:6-7 – “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.” Isa. 63:3 – “I have trodden the winepress alone”	Matt. 27:46 – “Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”
Amos 8:9 – “I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth on a clear day”	Matt. 27:45 – “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.”

He was to know what it was to be in an agonizing situation because of thirst

Fulfilled

Psa. 22:15 – “…my tongue cleaveth to my jaws”

Psa. 69:21 – “..in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink”

Jn. 19:28 – “Jesus knowing that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst”

Matt. 27:34 – “they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he tasted thereof, he would not drink.

He was to commit himself to God

Fulfilled

Psa. 31:5 – “Into thine hand I commit my spirit”

Lk 23:46 – “…Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”

Those Which Deal With His Death

Psa. 31:5 – “Into thine hand I commit my spirit”

Lk. 23:46 – “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.”

Those Which Deal With His Burial

Isa. 53:9 – “He was with the rich in His death”

Matt. 27:57 – “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple”

Those Which Deal With His Resurrection

Psa.16:10 – “Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell, neither wilt Thou suffer thy Holy one to see corruption.”	Acts 2:27 – “Because Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell, neither wilt Thou suffer thy Holy one to see corruption.”
Jn. 2:19 – “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up”	Lk. 24:6 – “He is not here, but is risen”

Prophetic Pictures From People

When we consider the cross and God, then we must think outside the box of God’s love, mercy and grace. Precious as these truths are there are other aspects of God that are manifested at Calvary. It is at the cross that there is, one might say, the supreme manifestation of the foreknowledge of God as seen in:
1)	Abel
		a)	The Shepherd. (Gen. 4:2)
		b)	The shepherd who was killed. (Gen. 4:8)
		c)	The shepherd who was hated because of his works, which were pleasing to God. (1 Jn. 3:12)

2)	Isaac
		a)	The Son of the father’s love. (Gen. 22:2)
		b)	The Son on the altar as a burnt offering. (Gen. 22:9)
		c)	The Son in resurrection. (Heb. 11:17-21)

3)	Boaz
		a)	The man who came from Bethlehem. (Ruth 2:4)
		b)	He was a man of wealth. (Ruth 2:1)
		c)	The man whose name is normally said to mean: “in him is strength”, yet the research shows that the meaning of this name is uncertain. The words in 1 Kgs. 7:21 are an interpretation based on the fact that it was also the name of a pillar in the temple. Rather, I see this as a man, the depths of whose name is unknowable, as is the person of our Lord.
		d)	The near kinsman to Ruth. (Ruth 3:12)
		e)	The man who paid an unknown price to have her as his wife. (Ruth 4:9-10)

4)	Nehemiah
		a)	“I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” (Neh. 6:3)

5)	Jonah
		a)	A prophet of God. (2 Kgs. 14:25)
		b)	A man sent from God. (Jon. 1:2)
		c)	A man who entered into the depths of the earth. (Jon. 2:3, 5-6)

Prophetic Pictures From Places

1)	Jerusalem
		a)	“Is it nothing to you that pass by, behold and see if there is any sorrow like unto my sorrow wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger.” (Lam. 1:12)
		b)	“All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee.” (Lam. 2:16, Matt. 27:13)
		c)	“I was a derision to all my people. (Lam. 3:14)
		d)	“He giveth His face to him that smiteth him. (Lam. 3:30)
		e)	“The iniquities of her priests, Who have shed in her midst the blood of the righteous. (Lam. 4:13)

Prophetic Pictures From Items

1)      The smitten Rock. (Ex.17:6; but not Num. 20:11)
2)      The broken bread. (Matt. 26:26)
3)      The Cup. (Matt. 26:27-28)
4)      The Hiding Place. (Isa. 32:2)
5)      The copper serpent. (Num. 21:9; Jn. 3:14)
6)      The Cities of refuge. (Num. 35:11)
7)      The copper altar. (Ex. 27:1)
8)      The Badger skin. (Ex. 25:5)
9)      The Ram skins dyed red. (Ex. 25:5)
10)   The Goat`s hair covering. (Ex. 25:4)
11)   The corn of Wheat. (Jn. 12:24)
12)   The rent vail. (Ex. 36:35, Heb. 10:20)
13)   The coats of skin. (Gen. 3:21) ⃰
14)   The Mercy Seat. (Ex. 25:17)
15)   The Tree that was cast into the waters. (Ex. 15:25)
       ⃰ The coats were made of “skins”, plural, thus multiple animals needed for the covering of one sin, of one couple, but the sacrifice of the Lord is for the many sins of all individuals.

How beautifully the Life of the Lord was pre-planned, and when outlived according to that plan, God was glorified. God in grace has also drawn a plan for each of us. It is like a global navigator on a car. The journey is from “a” to “f” but ofttimes we get off the plan, want to take a short cut, then the Lord takes that error and graciously uses it to teach us lessons as we are brought back onto the right path again.

It is the same as the young lady in the Song of Solomon who is not responding to the beloved and finds herself in sorrow and pain.

In micro is a listing of the multi pictures of the sufferings of Christ for sin that I am aware of in the scriptures.
1)	These illustrative types etc. will be divided in the following ways:
	a)	Sacrifices
		i)	The sacrifice Abel offered. (Gen. 4:4)
		ii)	The Ram instead of Isaac. (Gen. 22:13)
		iii)	The Burnt Offering. (Lev. Ch. 1)
		iv)	The meal offering. (Lev. Ch. 2)
		v)	The peace offering. (Lev. Ch. 3)
		vi)	The sin offering. (Lev. Ch. 4)
		vii)	The trespass offering. (Lev. ch. 5)
		viii)	The red heifer offering. (Num. Ch.19)
		ix)	The day of atonement. (Lev. Ch. 16)
		x)	The Sucking Lamb. (1 Sam. 7:9)

	b)	Titles

Title	Reference	Title	Reference
A Covert from the Tempest	Jer. 32:2	The offering	Eph. 5:2
The days man	Job 9:32	The offeror	Heb. 9:24-25
The good shepherd	Jn. 10:	The sacrifice	Eph. 5:2
The Lamb of God	Jn. 1:29	The pelican in the wilderness	Psa. 102
The man of sorrows	Isa. 53:3	The owl of the desert	Psa. 102
The good Samaritan	Jn. 10	The sparrow alone house top	Psa. 102
The mercy seat	Rom. 3:24-25	The Nobleman	Lk. 9:9-13
Mediator	1 Tim. 2:5-6	The Visitor	Ruth 1:6
The true bread	Jn. 6:32	The way	Jn. 14:6
The testator	Heb. 9:15-17	The worm	Psa. 22:6
The wafer	Lev. 2:5-6


c)	The Old Testament concepts used to graphically describe that which happened in experiences
	i)	The day of His fierce anger. (Lam. 1:12)
	ii)	Forsaken by God. (Psa. 22:1)

d)	Aspects of the Blood of the Lord
	i)	By it:
		1.	The believer is linked to the covenant. (Eph. 2:12-13; Heb. 10:15-16)
		2.	There is propitiation for humanity. (Rom. 3:23)
		3.	Justification is secured. (Rom. 5:9)
		4.	There is freedom from guilt. (Eph. 1:7)
		5.	The redeemed are brought near to God. (Eph. 2:13)
		6.	There is redemption, and forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:14)
		7.	There is forever the witness on earth of the death of the Lord and man's hatred. (1 Jn. 5:8)
		8.	There is the impetus to overcome life itself by being a martyr for the Lord. (Rev. 12:11)

	ii)	It is:
		1.	The proof of the death of the Lord. (Jn. 19:33)
		2.	The purchasing price for the flock. (Acts 20:28)
		3.	The centering point of saints on earth. (1 Cor. 10:16)
		4.	The delivering power from the kingdom of Satan. (Col. 1:20)
		5.	The grounds for securing our entrance before God. (Heb. 9:7-12)
		6.	The grounds for our perfecting before God. (Heb. 13:21)
		7.	The theme of Heaven's thongs. (Rev. 5:11-14)
		8.	The assurance of the better things to come. (Heb. 12:24-25)
		9.	The foundation for our sanctification. (Heb. 13:12)
		10.	The evidence of the providing for the fulfilling of our election (1 Pet. 1:2)
		11.	The cost of our redemption. (1 Pet. 1:18-21)
		12.	The process by which we can be cleaned. (1 Jn. 1:7)

e)	Aspects of the cross of the Lord
	i)	It is:
		1.	The measurement of our devotion and obedience. (Heb. 12:1-4)
		2.	It is the only way to true service. (Matt. 10:38)
		3.	The epitome of the fullness of the Lord Himself of no reputation. (Phil. 2:7; 2 Cor. 13:4)
		4.	It was the pathway to glory. (Heb. 2:10)
		5.	It is set in contrast to His glory. (Acts 2:23-24)
		6.	It is the sentence of God in death to the old man in us. (Rom. 6:5-7)
		7.	The epitome of the fullness of the Lord humbling Himself. (Phil. 2; 2 Cor. 13:4)
		8.	The cross utterly condemns anyone who presents another way of salvation. (Gal. 2:20)
		9.	The cross alone has the power to make Jew and Gentile one. (Eph. 2:16)
		10.	It is the measure of the Lord's obedience to God. (Phil. 2:8-11)
		11.	It is the measurement of His endurance despite the shame. (Heb. 12:2)
		12.	The degree of the world's hatred and its estimation of the son of God. (Matt. 27:21-22)

f)	Aspects of the death of the Lord
	i)	Was a manifestation of the not only the rejection of the truth, but also the rejecting of God. (Matt. 27:38)
	ii)	It was the intention of man but not the act of man, the Lord gave His own life. (Jn. 10:17-18)
	iii)	It was the planned determination of "spiritual" leaders of Israel. (Matt. 27:3-4)
	iv)	In its spirit or soul level, it brought immeasurable grief to the Lord. (Matt. 26:38)
	v)	His death found its groundwork in His fidelity and truthfulness. (Mk. 14:55-65)
	vi)	The cross was the method for His death but not the cause of it. Being without sin the Lord could not die, consequently, it had to be a deliberate act of His own volition. It is wrong to put a medical reason on the death of the Lord. He may have had a broken heart but that never caused His death, neither did the loss of blood, weakness, shock or heart failure. John 10:17-18 makes that very clear. Had He died from the afflictions of man, then man would have been the cause of His death and the taking of His life from Him. It is of utmost importance that this be understood because had this been the case, it would have nullified His claim to deity and His substitutionary sacrifice would be without value.

The Death of Christ Summarized
A Redemptive Work	a) b) c) d)	In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (Eph. 1:7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Col.1:14) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Heb. 9:12) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (Rev. 5:9)
A Cleansing Work	a)	But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 Jn. 1:7)
A Reconciling work	a) b)	For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom. 5:10) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight. (Col. 1:21)
A Propitiatory work	a) b)	Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. (Rom. 3:25) He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 Jn. 2:2)
A Payment for a debt	a)	The parable of the Lord in the house of Simon. The creditor one owed him 500 pence and the other 50: “He frankly forgave them both”. (Lk. 7:42)
A Substituting work	a)	I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)
A Justifying work	a)	Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Rom. 5:9)
A Wounding, bruising, chastisement and healing	a)	But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. (Isa. 53:5)
A stricken, smitten and afflicted	a)	Surely He hath borne our grief’s, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isa. 53:4)
Baptism	a)	I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how am I straitened until it be accomplished! (Lk. 12:50)
A Blotting out	a)	That which happened at the moment of salvation. Our completeness in Christ. We were buried with Him in Baptism, and risen through faith. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” (Col. 2:14)
A Death for us	a) b)	But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3)
A Covenant ratifying work	a)	Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work. (Heb. 13:20)
A Death sealing a will	a)	He is the mediator of the New Testament by means of death, for where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of the testator, for a testament is of force after men are dead. (Heb. 9:16-17)
A Necessity	a) b)	And He began to teach them that the son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and of the chief priests, and by the scribes. (Mk. 8:31) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. (Jn. 3:14)
A Killing	a) b)	But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. (Matt. 21:38) And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:15)
A Deliverance	a) b) c)	Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Gal. 1:4) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Col. 1:13) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thess. 1:10)
A Cup to be drunk	a) b)	And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matt. 26:39) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (Jn. 18:11)
A Taking Away	a)	Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (Jn. 1:29)
A Lifting up	a)	And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:14)
A Passover	a)	Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. (1 Cor. 5:7)
A Curse	a)	Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. (Gal. 3:13)
A Sowing a seed	a)	Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (Jn. 12:24)
A Ransom price paid	a) b)	For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mk. 10:45) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Tim. 2:6)
A Burnt Offering	a)	If any will offer a burnt offering, a male, without blemish for his acceptance, burn it all. (Lev. 1: 9)
A Meal Offering	a)	When any will offer a meal offering, flour, salt, oil frankincense, all the frankincense. (Lev. ch. 2)
A Peace offering	a)	If any offer a peace offering, a male or female, without blemish, all the fat. (Lev. ch. 3)
A Sin Offering	a)	Any will offer a sin offering, depending on the person. (Lev. ch. 4)
A Trespass Offering	a)	When any will offer a trespass offering. (Lev. Chs. 5-6)
A Drink Offering	a)	Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He has poured out his soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isa. 53:12)
A Sacrifice	a)	Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Eph. 5:1-2)
An Offering	a) b) c) d)	For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Heb. 10:14) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. (Heb. 10:5) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Heb. 10:10) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (Heb. 10:18)
An Accomplishment and An Exodus	a)	They spake of His decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (Lk. 9:31)
As the foundation	a) b) c) d)	For translating i) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Col.1:13) For our spiritual resurrection i) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved). (Eph. 2:5 For forgiveness i) In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Eph. 1:7) For destroying Satan’s Power i) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. (Heb. 2:14)
As a Removal	a)	A far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. (Psa. 103:12) i) The fullness of that removal. ii) I will remember them no more.
As a Wood Offering	a) b)	And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law: (Neh. 10:34) And for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. (Neh. 13:31)
An abandonment	a)	My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me? (Psa. 22:1)
Sinking	a)	I sink in the deep mire, where there is no standing. (Psa. 69:2)
An Overflowing	a)	I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. (Psa. 69:2)
A Shelter	a) b) c) d)	For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. (Psa. 61:3) Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psa. 32:7) Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. (Psa. 119:114) And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. (Isa. 32:2)

Appendix No 1: The Things God Cannot Do

1)	God made a promise
	a)	God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began: (Titus 1:2)
		i)	It is true that with God all things are possible: “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Yet, there are at least 10 things God cannot do:
			1.	He cannot be tempted with evil
				(a)	Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil. (Jam. 1:13)

			2.	He cannot change
				(a)	For I am the LORD, I change not. (Mal. 3:6)

			3.	He cannot deny himself
				(a)	If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Tim. 2:13)

			4.	He cannot lie
				(a)	That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie. (Heb. 6:18)

			5.	He cannot look on iniquity
				(a)	Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity. (Hab. 1:13)

			6.	He cannot faint, be wearied, or limited in His understanding
				(a)	Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. (Isa. 40:28)

			7.	He cannot be partial
				(a)	For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regarded not persons, nor taketh reward. (Deut. 10:17)

			8.	He cannot ignore about sin
				(a)	Thus saith the LORD unto this people, “Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins” (Jer. 14:10)

			9.	He cannot find another way for to provide salvation
				(a)	And he went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt. (Matt. 26:39)

			10.	He cannot die
				(a)	The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. (Deut. 33:27)

May God grant us good understanding as He, by His Holy Spirit, deigns to guide us into all truth.
John 16:13