"The Central Figure at Calvary"
Bishop

Patricia T. Whitelocke, D.D. 

The earth shattering, history-altering crucifixion of JESUS CHRIST was foreordained by GOD; many historical events were to transpire. Many dynasties and kingdoms were to rise and fall before this great and notable day was fully come.

Prophets had lived and spoken of the sufferings and the glory of CHRIST and died, never realizing the fulfillment of their prophecies. Thousands of generations contributed to the fulfillment of this momentous day at Calvary, until all the necessary characters were ready; then the stage was set for this cataclysmic drama: “The Passion of JESUS the CHRIST”.

JESUS came to give HIS life a ransom for sin and was called the Second Adam; HE was sinless and perfect in body, soul and spirit. HE offered HIMSELF to redeem the whole world unto GOD. No one took HIS life from HIM, but HE laid it down of HIS own will and took it up again at HIS resurrection.

HE was a willing and determined sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 10:18). Neither Jew nor Gentiles are ultimately responsible for HIS death. It pleased the LORD to bruise HIM, for HE gave HIS life for our sins. Isaiah 53:5 says: “For HE was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM, and with HIS stripes we are healed.” And John 3:16 says: “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Jewish supreme national council, the Sanhedrin, was composed of 71 men skilled in the law of Moses. They were considered fair and just. Yet the LORD JESUS CHRIST was unjustly tried and sentenced to die though HE had committed no crime worthy of death. Not one charge brought against HIM could stand up in court. (Acts 4:26,27). 

JESUS did not defend HIMSELF (Mark 14:60-62) but revealed HIS identity in the statement about sitting on the right hand of power and coming in clouds of glory. This statement meant that HE was the one spoken of in Daniel 7:13-14. MESSIAH indeed!

JESUS was blind-folded, bound, and the beating started. We see brutality on a level that could only be engineered by Satan himself (Matt 26:65, 66 Matt 27:29-30; Mark 14:65; Mark 15:17-19; Luke 22:63-65; John 18:22; John 19:1-3; Lev. 24:16). JESUS was then led from Caiaphas to Pilate the next morning.

HE was led away with two malefactors to be put to death at 9:00 in the morning on the 14th day of Nisan. Enroute to Calvary, Simon of Cyrene, a black man, was compelled to bear HIS wooden cross. There they crucified HIM with the two malefactors (who were arrested with Barabbas in the insurrection against the Roman government) and the two thieves, whose lives were touched by JESUS that day. It was at 9:00 am when the daily sacrifice was offered up for the nation of Israel. JESUS, our LORD, hung on the tree from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm The Passover lamb was killed between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm. When JESUS CHRIST, the Lamb of GOD, gave up HIS life on Calvary, it was 3:00pm. During this time, Psalms 113 to 119 were being sung in the temple declaring the wonderful works of GOD toward HIS people.

They pierced HIS hands (wrists) and HIS feet (ankles), parted HIS garments, and cast lots. No doubt (as JESUS looked down on HIS bloody, mutilated body, which was so marred and HIS flesh did not resemble that of a man) HE thought of the coccus worm from which scarlet dye was obtained, for HE was drenched in HIS own blood. (Psalm 22:6). JESUS suffered physically and psychologically as the people derided HIM. Psalm 22:14-18 records the words HE must have spoken and Psalm 69:4, -9.20,21 also describes his sufferings.

JESUS made seven statements when nailed to the tree on Calvary, the most profound of these being: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” and “Eli, Eli, Imana shabackthani!” (Matthew 27:46 Lamsa). The interpretation or translation of these Arameic words has been debated and misunderstood. First of all, these words are misspelled in the King James Version. When accurately translated from the Aramaic, the word “lmana” is a declaration of triumph...a statement of fact, never a question! The word “Shbakthani” means for this purpose I was spared; it was my destiny to die this kind of death. GOD would not forsake HIS only begotten Son, WHO came into the world to die for the sins of all mankind (John 12:27, John 10:11-15). JESUS said “I and my Father are one“ in agreement, on one accord. (John 10:30, John 16:32. Matt. 26:53, 56).

The WORD confirms GOD's will for HIS Son (Isaiah 53:10-12). GOD never forsook YESHUA; HE was right there. HE saw the travail of HIS only begotten Son, but it was for us. “For HE has not despised, nor abhorred, the affliction of the afflicted; neither has HE hidden HIS face from HIM; but when HE cried unto HIM, HE heard.” (Psalm 22:24).

Every word in the Word of GOD pertaining to the suffering of JESUS CHRIST has been fulfilled. In John 19:34 when the soldiers pierced HIS side, forthwith, immediately gushed out blood and water, which was symbolic of the sprinkling with blood and cleansing of water from the First (Old) Testament. (Heb. 9:12-14, 19-22, Ex. 24:8).

The solider pierced the sack in which the heart is encased (the pericardium). The pericardium is a membranous sack which has an inner and outer section. The internal section of this sack is closed and envelopes the heart. It is filled with a clear fluid. Upon death, a certain portion of blood remains in the right ventricle of the heart, and the red corpuscles separate out of the blood. This process is known as stasis. The water in John 19:34 is in actuality hydro-pericardium, a product of stasis. Once the separation has taken place, there are two distinct colors present: clear and red (water and blood). This blood and water which gushed forth from the heart of JESUS sprinkled many nations and has reconciled both Jew and Gentile together unto GOD. (Ephesians 2:18) through HIS precious, sinless blood.

Nine glorious exchanges were made at Calvary: 1) HE forgave and we received forgiveness of sins and redemption (Eph. 1:7; 1 Cor. 15:3,4). 2) HE was wounded and we received our healing (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24). 3) We received righteousness in place of our sins (Philippians 3:9; 1 Cor. 1:30). 4) We received eternal life in place of death (John 3:16; I John 5:11, 12; Rom. 3:23), 5). We received blessings in place of curses (Gal. 3:13; Heb. 2:9). 6) We received abundance in place of poverty (III John 2; John 10:10). 7) Glory in place of shame (Phil. 3:20, 21; Col. 3:4; I Cor. 15:52, 53). 8.) Acceptance in the beloved in place of rejection (Eph. 1:6, Eph. 2:4-6). 9) The new man in place of the old man -- CHRIST in you the hope of glory (Eph. 4:24; Col. 1:27) creating a new body --The Church of GOD.

JESUS said, “I lay it down and I will take it up.” Up from the grave HE arose and dwelt among us for 40 days, being seen of over 500 brethren (I Cor. 15:1-6). CHRIST JESUS ascended into heaven and promised HIS followers that HE would send The Comforter to lead and guide them into all truth. (Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-16). YESHUA also promised to return for them (John 14:1-18). Angels are witness to this truth (Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

YESHUA HA MESSIAH IS COMING SOON!