Did Jesus Become a Sinner on the Cross? Was He actually “Forsaken” on the cross?
I sent the following note to a “blogger” I usually found to be quite”on target” theologically, although some would probably describe him as being “out of the box.” I wont give his name here just because I don’t want to risk steering a “weak” believer down the wrong path! 🙂 🙂 
But What I do want to address here is the often made statement by an increasing number of preachers, pastors, etc., that Jesus Christ actually BECAME a Sinner on the cross and using Psalm 22:1 as a supporting text. My friend did this, and the following is my response
“Hi, I’ve been blessed thru your sharing the Word in such beautiful, artistic ways. Thanks for your ministry.
However, re this specific graphic focusing on Jesus being “forsaken” by the Father and actually “becoming sin” (a sinner?? ) for us, I have serious questions to the accuracy of such statements( conclusions.” ) For instance, Psalm 22. You quote only the opening verse. But if you go down to the closing verses, wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that Jesus FELT abandoned, but really was not and that God did hear and answer His prayer on the cross?;
“Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.”
Psalms 22:21, 24, 30-31 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.22.21,24,30-31.esv
I understand that on the Jewish culture, when a portion of Scripture, especially the Psalms, it was understood by the heaters that the entire Psalm was being addressed. Thus, Jesus was actually quoting the entire Psalm, which therefore actually speaks of both His death and resurrection, meaning that, even on the cross, He was assured of His resurrection. So, really, Psalm 22 could be a Psalm of Triumph, rather than “abandonment” or “Being forsaken.”
Hebrews 5:7 seems to affirm this:
“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.”
Hebrews 5:7 NLT
http://bible.com/116/heb.5.7.nlt
Also, re “being made sin for us,” [ 2 Cor. 5:21] is not the more accurate translation [in context] “being made a sin-offering for us?”
Thanks again for your ministry.
Selah!
Allan
What THINK ye???
Pastor Youssef and love for God vs knowledge of the Word of God (Theology).
I am listening to Pastor Youssef of “Leading the Way” Ministries. He is beginning a six part series entitled “to Know Jesus is to Love Him.” Yet, he begins by stating that “head knowledge” about Christ is not enough to have a good relationship with Him. This is a false dichotomy!How can we KNOW Christ without knowing His Word? Jesus Himself says: “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” How can we know what His Commandments are, if we do not know His Word? Jesus also says: “Now this is eternal life – that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.” (John 17:3 NET). This implies that we will spend eternity growing in our knowledge of God.The only place we can KNOW about the Father and the Son NOW, however, is in the Word of God.. And the more we get to KNOW them, the more we get to LOVE them. Paul says this is to be a growing knowledge: …”so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects – bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, (Colossians 1:10 NET).
It is therefore a gross error to stress one’s emotional Love for God apart from the objective knowledge of Him through His Word, and imply that our love for God can grow or be increased through some kind of a mystical desire void of biblical content. Read more…
Welcome to Teleios!
Teleios continues to minister to up and coming young Christian leaders of the future, both men and women, who are seeking answers and a solid foundation for their beliefs, so that they can make a real difference in the world and in the church, and to be, not only “on the cutting edge” of social and cultural change, but to actually “be” that edge!
At Teleios, they are learning how to “contend earnestly for the faith,” [Jude 3] by being “ready to give an answer” [1 Peter 3:15] for it without fear or hesitation and with utmost confidence in the Word of God.
It’s encour
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These young people are the future pastors, elders, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers – and yes, even prospective Prime Ministers of the Bahamas! What they are learning at Teleios today could help to shape the kind of society our children and grand children live in tomorrow.
Teleios “Current Issues” Course: “Stem Cell Research, Abortion & The Christian”
This four-week course is designed to equip the believer with Biblical, Philosophical and Scientific resources to, like the sons of Issachar, “understand the times and know what to do.” (1 Chronicles 12.32 NAS95). Read more…