A response to 5.12

Eli, Eli Lema Sabachthani

God Almighty decided to sacrifice His only son for the redemption of mankind.

Mr. Al-Kadhi says, then we have one of two cases:

It would help if Mr. Al-Kadhi read the scriptures more clearly. Jesus did know of this plan. "For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

Mr. Al-Kadhi then states, we are faced with three problems:

If Jesus' (pbuh) sole mission to mankind was to die on the cross, free them from the original sin, free them from the law of Moses (pbuh), and provide salvation for them, then why did he never in his lifetime mention it to his followers?

If Mr. Al-Kadhi read the scriptures more clearly, he would see that Jesus did tell his followers. "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified" (Matthew 26:2). "For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28).

Why did he not spend night and day drumming these new concepts into their minds?

It wouldn't have made any difference. Remember that the disciples did not initially believe when Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection. "Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself" (Luke 24:39). The disciples were startled and terrified.

Why did he himself observe the commandments of Moses (pbuh) so completely and so faithfully?

Jesus came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17).

In Matthew 19:16-21 when Jesus (pbuh) was asked for the path to heaven, why did he emphasize the keeping of the commandments of Moses but never mention the crucifixion nor the redemption or having "faith" in them?

Jesus was trying to get this person to make a decision. "If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions ... THEN COME AND FOLLOW ME". Notice the "THEN COME AND FOLLOW ME" part. I believe that Jesus did not mention the crucifixion because the young man would not take the initial step of faith. The young man went away grieving for he had many possessions. See also this article for a detailed discussion of this story.

Obeying the law is one thing. It's another thing to realize that you are a sinner in need of a saviour. Muslims try to obey the law of Moses, but they don't come and follow Jesus. Jesus is waiting to save all Muslims, but they must come and follow him and accept his sacrificial love.

Why, when he was in the garden of Gethsemane did he plead with God Almighty and implore Him "Eli, Eli Lama sabachthani", meaning "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)?

Why did Jesus plead "let this cup pass from me" (Matthew 26:39)?

We cannot imagine what Jesus thought of all mankind's sin being placed on his holy and sinless body. I think it is impossible for any human to fully understand the significance of the garden of Gethsemane.

Why are the words of Matthew 27:46 the only words of all of the New Testament reported in their original Aramaic form?

Wrong again, see for example, "Talitha koum!" ("Little girl, get up") in Mark 5:41 and "Ephphatha" ("Be opened") in Mark 7:34. For further info on the languages of Jesus, please see this article.

Then why when he spoke to the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:22-8 did he refuse to heal her daughter on the grounds that he was sent to the Jews alone? "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel".

This seems to be a harsh statement, but it was a statement of fact. Jesus was offering Himself first as the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning the coming of the King in David's line. He was trying to get this gentile woman to recognize that fact.

When she addressed him as "Son of David", she as a gentile had no claim upon him as the Son of David. However, now she comes and worships him, calling him Lord, and asks for help. Now she will get help, as we shall see.

"It is not meet to take the children's bread and to cast it to dogs."

That is a very strong statement! Such a rebuff would have driven many of us away. We would have turned on our heels and said, "you can't talk to us like that!". I don't believe Jesus said that to insult her but rather to get her to reveal how determined she was to get Jesus to heal her daughter.

Personally speaking, what would you have done if you asked Jesus to heal someone you love and he said no? Would you have just walked away? Would you have asked a second time? How about a third time? How persistent would you be? Or would you have just quit early?

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table (Matthew 15:27). You remember that Jesus told of a poor man who ate of the crumbs that fell from a rich man's table, and the dogs came and licked his sores. The Israelites used the word dog in reference to the Gentiles. This woman was willing to bear reproach because she believed in the Lord Jesus.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith". Jesus really marvelled at the faith of this gentile woman. Jesus had said, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden". Her answer had revealed a great faith, and to that Christ responded.

See part 1 and part 2 for a fuller explanation of the "children and the dogs". You'll be surprised when you find out that Jesus did in fact heal pagans.

Was Jesus to die on the cross for the Jews alone?

Jesus died and rose again for the sins of all mankind. He was sent to the Jews as a fulfullment of Old Testament prophecies, and his death and resurrection is for the salvation of all.

The Rebuttal to "What Did Jesus Really Say?"
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