When Jesus was twelve years old, he questioned, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49) and on his crucifixion, he spoke seven sayings that are often expanded upon on Good Friday services, all over the world. This series, ‘Let’s talk business’ is a look at the seven sayings of Jesus Christ from the Cross, from a business perspective. Today we shall look at the fourth saying from the Cross, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is to say “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me. ” as recorded in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 (in fact, this is the only saying that is recorded in more than one gospel).
According to BusinessDictionary.com, the term “bankruptcy” is used to describe a legal procedure for liquidating a business or property owned by an individual and can be brought upon voluntarily or be forced on by the law. The two major objectives of bankruptcy are: first to function as a fair settlement of legal claims of the creditors and secondly to provide the debtor an opportunity for a fresh start.
When Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” it was not a cry of accusation but an expression of agony and bankruptcy, because the fulfillment of the first messianic prophecy declared in the garden of Eden by God (Genesis 3:15) was now coming into fruition, and Jesus, who was sinless had become sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) by the imputation of our sins on him, severing the holiness of God from him, for what communion can Light have with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). According to the law, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and the law required payment. In order to pay the price on behalf of mankind, Jesus voluntarily made himself bankrupt, leaving the glory that he had with God the Father (John 17:5), making himself One of no reputation (Philippians 2:7) and humbled himself unto death, even death on the Cross. A fair settlement is a sacrifice without blemish and when no one created in heaven or on earth could meet the requirement to stand in the gap between God and man, Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world bankrupts himself to become the sacrifice acceptable unto God, once and for all (Hebrews 10:1-18). This way, his bankruptcy serves to provide man, the debtor, a fresh start, for whoever believes in the name of Jesus Christ, is a new creation for the old things have passed away and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Points to ponder:
Jesus became bankrupt so that you and I could enjoy the riches of heaven and be brought into the glory of God. There is no other sacrifice that is acceptable to God. God forsook his only begotten Son, so that he did not have to forsake you. Do you have a fresh start? In other words, have you believed in Jesus Christ? An expression of the acronym FAITH is Forsaking All I Trust Him and Salvation comes only by grace through faith (belief) in Christ Jesus. Have you believed? If not, don’t tarry and for those of us who have believed, are you/I willing to become bankrupt of our worldly ties? In business terms, Jesus became bankrupt so that you and I could be rich toward God and that is the only currency that matters in this life and the one to come.
Matthew 27:46 (KJV)
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Mark 15:34 (KJV)
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
