On Good firday the 3rd April 2015

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.John 19:28

“5th word on the cross” sermon byMallikarjuna Rajanandan

How can Jesus the son of God, King of Israel say I am thirsty!

❖ It shows His human nature

❖ His walk from Jerusalem to Golgotha before crucifixion-3 hrs

❖ His sufferings on the cross

❖ His blood loss and dehydration on the under the sun

Introducing God

❖ I am That I am

❖ God is eternal, There is no beginning and no end

❖ But for human there is beginning and there is an end

❖ Man is created in God’s image and likeness

❖ Then How can Jesus be God? When other men who are worshipped are not Gods

Why sin has to be covered?

❖ Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered Psalms 32:1(God’s forgiveness)

❖ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

❖ "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7

God’s provision for covering sin

❖ In Bible God first time covered sin & shame of Adam & eve with animal skin, which implies animal was killed

❖ Abel offered first born lamb to God which was accepted while Cain offered fruit of the ground, which was not accepted

❖ God allowed animal sacrifice to cover sin of man temporarily

❖ Every year the high preist enters the most holy place with blood of sacrificed animal for the propitation of sins of the man who brought the animal and also his own sins

❖ This arrangement from God is to make man realize that shedding of blood is required to cover sin

Scene in Leviticus era

❖ Law was given to Moses by God. This Law establishes sin as per Paul

❖ Every year laden with sin, shame,guilt and unclean consceince, man brings innocent animal to the temple as sacrifice to escape from death under law

❖ Imagine a 60 year old man doing this for atleast 40 years in life.

When each time animal is brought for the slaughter!

❖ Man might feel sorry for it and continue to do it year after year as a ritual without the consceince getting clean

❖ Man may not feel sorry for it, but instead counts that only an animal per year. “It is God’s provision why for me”

❖ Man at times may not be willing to see the suffering of the animal, there by run away from slaughter

What if the animal speaks! before slaughter

❖ Animal offered is innocent and without blemish

❖ Animals do not speak

❖ Imagine If animal speaks and says why are you taking me to slaughter house? Man says I am offering you to God, becuase He covers my sin when your blood is shed

❖ How many times man can answer like that? How many such speaking innocent, without blemish animals are offered in his life time?

❖ Will his conscience allow for the slaughter, if animal speaks and says I am thirsty (for your mercy) as, I was brought to the slaughter house from long distance after a tedious journey

❖ Animals do not offer themselves and are not empathetic

Then who can be a speaking animal with empathy, a man or God?

❖ This brings to the need of a man who is innocent, without blemish, who has empathy, who can offer Himself for the sins of mankind.

❖ A man who can say I am thirsty (for your love)

❖ That man is the lamb of God and the High preist- Jesus the son of God

❖ Jehovah jireh, my provider of the lamb, His grace is sufficient to cover my sins.

How many times a speaking lamb of God is offered?

❖ Is it once a year?

❖ No it is once for all for the entire mankind

❖ Jesus had one life He gave it all!

❖ What great empathy can be more than this, He had only one He gave it.

❖ Empathy is a thought from heart and compassion is an act comes out of such heart- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son

Coming to the scene at Golgotha

❖ May not be willing to see the sufferings of the animal which didnot offer itself

❖ But Jesus who willfully offered himself without any resistance, are you not willing to see His sufferings on the cross?

❖ What is that hindrance in your life today, which is obsructing you from the scene of Calvary?

❖ Is it not vanity, lust of flesh, the lust of eyes or the pride of life?(1 John 2:16)

❖ But there is hope for believer, there is nothing which can hinder you from the scene of calvary

❖ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

❖ For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Be the sheep today

❖ Jesus endured the grief and suffering wrongfully

❖ What glory it is when sheep suffer for erring?

❖ It is glory to the Creator, when sheep suffer by doing good

❖ This is our call

❖ “He(Jesus) committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22

❖ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1Peter 2:23

❖ "By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Lamb of God, understands you

❖ Christ is longsuffering as Apostle Pual writes in 1 Timothy 1:16

❖ God created man with a purpose but in every possible way man is abusing the purpose

❖ With smoking and drinking man is abusing the purpose

❖ With Tattoos man is abusing purpose

❖ With sex change man is abusing purpose

❖ Peter says"you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25

–Mallikarjuna Rajanandan

Thank you, God bless