Golgotha Rediscovered.

The place where Jesus was crucified

Since Constantine I the Christian world has been led to believe that Golgotha, the mount on which Jesus was crucified, is beneath the site where today the Holy Sepulcher Church is built. Helen, the mother of Constantine herself, is credited for identifying its location and instigating the building of the Church upon its site. But Golgotha, often named Calvary, is on the other side of Jerusalem, just outside the eastern wall, northeast of the Temple Mount.

A spot there is called Golgotha,—of old the fathers’ earlier tongue thus called its name, “The skull-pan of a head:” Four Books Against Marcion Book II 259



The Early Church knew that the place where Jesus was curcified looked like a skull, and to be more specific, a cranium, which is the skull-pan or upper part of the skull. Instead of using the ancient greek word skulla (skull), the Gospels used the word 'Kranion' when referring to its appearance.

And coming to a place named Golgotha, which is called Cranium Place, they gave him vinegar to drink mixed with gall. Matt 27,33-34a
And they brought him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, the place Cranium. Mk 15,22
And when they were come to the place which is called Cranium, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on the right side, and the other on the left.  Lk 23,33
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called Cranium Place, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha. Joh 19,17

There is only one mount near Jerusalem which looks like a cranium, i.e. the skull-pan of a head. And this mount is only 330 meters from where the Temple Entrance once stood.

The Ripping of the Temple Curtain.

As Jesus died, three of the four Gospels testify that the temple curtain ripped. In the Peshitta New Testament  (Ancient Aramaic) as well as other very early manuscripts, it is testified to that it was the curtain at the entrance of the temple which ripped.

But Yeshua cried again with a loud voice, and his Spirit departed. And at once the curtain entrance of The Temple was ripped in two from top to bottom. Mt 27,50-51a Peshitta
But Yeshua cried with a loud voice, and he expired. And the curtain of the entrance of The Temple was ripped in two from the top unto the bottom. Mk 15,37-38 Peshitta

The Gospels also testify that the centurion and those with him on Golgotha saw the curtain rip.

and the curtain of The Temple was ripped apart from its middle. And Yeshua called out in a loud voice and he said, "My Father, into your hands I lay down my spirit." He said this and he expired. When the Centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God and he said, "Truly this man was The Righteous One." Lk 23,45b-47 Peshitta

and the veil of the sanctuary was rent in two, from top to bottom, and the centurion who was standing over-against him, having seen that, having so cried out, he yielded the spirit, said, `Truly this man was Son of God.' Mk 15,38-39 Youngs Literal Translation

There is only one single place where those gathered would have had a closeup view of the ripping of the temple curtain. And that would have been from the top of Golgotha, just outside the eastern wall of Jerusalem.





By lowering the wall which today exists, all those gathered on Golgotha could testify that at the very moment Jesus died they saw the curtain rip.

Because of the location of the Holy Sepulchre Church, on the western side of of the temple, nobody from there could possibly have seen the temple curtain rip. In fact they would not have even seen the front of the temple, for the temple has always faced east.

This has led to the belief that nobody gathered on Golgotha actually saw the curtain rip, but it later became known that this happened.

Unknown to many Christians, in the temple made by Herod standing at the time of Jesus there were two curtains separating the Holy of Holies from the sanctuary, with a space of one cubit between them.

There were thirteen curtains in the Sanctuary, seven facing the seven gates, two [more], one of which was at the entrance to the Hekal, the other at the entrance to the Ulam; two to the debir; two, corresponding to them, in the loft. Talmud - Mas. Yoma 54a

The inner curtain is referred to as the second curtain of the temple.

And within the second curtain, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Heb 9,3

In the earliest Gospel harmony, the Diatessaron of Tatian (160 - 175 AD) it is also testified to that the curtain of the temple which was at the door of the temple ripped, and not the two inner curtains.

And immediately the face of the door of the temple was rent into two parts from top to bottom... And the officer of the footsoldiers, and they that were with him who were guarding Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things which came to pass, feared greatly, and praised God, and said, This man was righteous; and, Truly he was the Son of God. And all the multitudes that were come together to the sight, when they saw what came to pass, returned and smote upon their breasts. Diatessaron 52,2

The Journey to Golgotha.

As Jesus leaves Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate he arrives at the base of Golgotha. After hours of being mocked and having his face buffeted, he was brought in the morning to Pilate. During the night his beard had been plucked out and his head repeatedly stricken. Now his battered face was full of open wounds; covered with blood mixed with spit. All day long the leaders of Israel had plagued him. In the morning Pilate chastized him. Yet the crowd continued to cry out for his death. Pilate tried to appease them by scourging him with thirty-nine lashes of a whip. But that was not enough for them. The High Priest Caiaphas, together with the other Chief Priests, required of Pilate that Jesus be delivered them, that he might lead him out of the city to be crucified.

Before ascending the slope of Golgotha the Roman soldiers forced  a man called Simon, a Cyrenean, who was coming in from a field, to carry his cross up the mount.  Until going out of the city and reaching Golgotha, he had been carrying his cross himself. Yet as he went through the Sheep Gate he was now very weak.

And He went out bearing His cross, to the place called Of a Cranium (which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha), Joh 19,17

All the way up the hill Simon the Cyrenian followed behind Jesus, carrying these heavy pieces of cedar wood. There were also with Jesus two common criminals, transgressors sentenced because of robbery. The two Chief Priests,  Annas and Caiphas, together with the Elders of Israel, were preceding them on foot. Behind them there was a great multitude of people. All were now gathering together on Golgotha to witness this spectacle. And all of them, as they saw his face, were appalled at its appearance, for it had been sorely disfigured. 

This place just outside the Sheep Gate was called Cranium Place , for it appears as the top part of a skull. It was especially convenient for crucifixions, being near the Roman quarter of the city. Pilate had placed a centurion to oversee the crucifixion and four of his men were appointed to crucify Jesus. As Caiaphas brought Jesus to Pilate it was Friday, early in the morning, on the preparation day of the Passover.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelites had already come to Jerusalem to sacrifice their Passover lambs. It had now been over seven days since they had entered the  temple mount to be purified. Many had been sprinkled the third and the seventh day with the water mixed with the ashes of the Red Heifer, and had washed their clothes on the seventh day, that they might be immersed in one the many Mikwehs about the temple and become clean. Anyone who was not an Israelite and who had not performed this purification rite was strictly forbidden, under the penalty of death, from bringing their lambs to the northern side of the altar in the Temple court.

During their seven day purification they were talking with one another about Jesus. 'Will he come to the feast even though the Chief Priests are plotting to kill him?' The eve of the Passover was now approaching. Between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM thousands of Israelites would bring their Passover lambs to the altar, being divided in three groups. On this special Passover both of the High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas, were outside the city at Golgotha. From the top of Golgotha, however, they could see everything that happened on the Temple Mount

The time had come to prepare the evening daily sacrifice. Shortly after 12 o'clock, as the lamb is approaching the place of sacrifice, they made it drink. Shortly after 12 o'clock,  as Jesus arrives at the place on the Mount for the crucifixion, the soldiers make Jesus drink. After tasting it and realizing it was vinegar mingled with gall he would not drink it. 

The four soldiers responsible for crucifying Jesus nailed the inscription concerning his charge upon the top part of the cross. Everyone who passed by could read the inscription, for Golgotha was directly at the Sheep Gate, just outside the city.  Then, removing his garments, they placed Jesus on the cedar wood of the cross, with his head to the south. Then they nailed him to the wood, piercing his hands and his feet. The soldiers then lifted up the cross and secured it, with Jesus hanging with his full weight on the nails placed in the palms of his hands,  facing west towards the wall of Jerusalem. Just above the wall he could see the north side of the altar and the temple entrance. All the people of Jerusalem were celebrating the Passover in rememberance of the day on which they marked the two sides and the top of the entrance door to their homes, that they might find protection under the blood of the lamb against the angel of death. Were they not commanded to sacrifice a lamb on the eve of the Passover? As the angel of death went over the whole land of Egypt, those who remained under the protection of the cross of blood on their doors were spared and on that same day were freed from their slavery.




Caiaphas watches as the four Roman soldiers raise Jesus up from the earth, hanging from the nails. It was the deputy High Priest himself that had led Jesus outside the city.

Finally Jesus had been given over to him. It was now over two years since John openly revealed to Israel that he was the Messiah. John was that foretold messenger going before the LORD, crying in the wilderness and saying 'Prepare the way of the LORD'. And after Jesus came to Judah and was baptized by him, the neck of John was stricken. Yet afterwards the LORD's wings were stretched out over the breadth of the land, healing all maners of sicknesses and diseases and drawing countless people back to the God of Israel through repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

John the Baptist was a son of Aaron, belonging to the family of Abia, one of the twenty-four priestly courses which served at the temple and sprinkled with the water mixed with the ashes of the Red Heifer. Now in the third year, after John had been beheaded, the time for this special event had arrived. Months earlier preparations for this sacrifice had already taken place. The time had come, the High Priests asked of the Israelites, that if anyone knew of his whereabouts, they should inform them.

It was Caiaphas who was the High Priest of that year, although he was more known as the deputy High Priest. For Annas, now an old man, had been appointed High Priest at the age of 37(in 6 A.D) .  It was to Annas that the Israelites first brought Jesus. And after his examination Annas bound him and delivered him over to Caiaphas for the final examination and to lead him outside the city.

They had accomplished that which they had been plotting for months. You could hear in the group of priests, directly behind Jesus, an occasional 'Aha, aha'. How certain they were that he was getting what he deserved. But what sin or unrighteous act had he done? Why is he so quiet and doesn't answer their many accusations? Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, he didn't open his mouth. As Caiaphas asked him directly, did he not claim to be the Messiah, the Son of God? Was it not because of blasphemy, his claim of being the Messiah, that he was crucified? Was he not deceiving and enticing the people?

As they crucified him, they nailed him on it with his head towards the south. Then they lifted the cross up and secured it to the ground. His face was looking west, towards the city. The two criminals who were taken with him were also crucified, one to his right and one to his left with Jesus in the middle. The High Priest Caiaphas was behind Jesus, facing west, where both Jesus and the temple entrance were in his view.

As the soldiers had finished crucifying him, they started dividing his garments amongst themselves. But his vesture had no seam. Instead of tearing it, the soldiers agreed to throw dice to determine who would get it.

Jesus Promises Eternal Life to His Disciples.

Did not this marred man claim to be the Messiah? And was not the Messiah the true King of Israel, to rule in Jerusalem on the throne of David? But now he was about to die! Would not even the rememberance of him quickly pass away?

On that very same day Jesus had celebrated the Passover Feast with his disciples. He told them that he was now going to leave them and that they could not follow him.

Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him, Where I go, you can not follow me now; but you shall follow me afterwards. Joh 13,36

He said to his disciples that he was leaving them and going to prepare a place for them, that they might be with him there.  Neither Peter nor the other disciples understood at the time what he was saying. Even earlier Jesus had tried to explain to them about why he was going to Jerusalem, but they continually disbelieved his words.

In Immersion by baptism we Receive the Forgiveness of Sins.

As Jesus met with his eleven disciples on the mount in Galilee, he commanded them to disciple all nations, immersing those that receive their message in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Go therefore, disciple all the nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you. And behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the age. Amen. Matt 28,19-20

For well over a thousand years virtually all who were sent in his name obeyed his words and immersed those who would become his disciples. However during a very dark time in the history of the Roman Catholic church, in the same time where Roman Catholic Crusaders where murdering Jews, Muslims and Orthodox Christians, the necessity for immersion in baptism ceased to be recognized by Rome. From this time on the Churches were no longer built with baptismal tanks.

By changing the form of ceremonal baptism from immersion to pouring water over the head, the command of Jesus to immerse is no longer being caried out in the Roman Catholic Church. The rest of the worldwide church, most of whom were Orthodox, did not deviate from the command of Jesus.

In his great love, Jesus died for all people. Yet only those who receive those whom he has sent to preach the gospel and immerse are saved.

And he said to them, Go into all the world; preach the gospel to all creation. The one believing and being immersed will be saved; but the one not believing will be condemned. Mk 16,15-16

Jesus said that only those who believe and are immersed will be saved. To change his words to mean something other that immersion would be wrong. And to recognize a baptism not done by immersion as being that commanded by Jesus in Mark 16,16 would also be wrong. In a true sense it is not that the immersion is invalid, but rather that the immersion never took place.

There are two similiar greek words which my most translations are translated into English as Baptism, 'Baptidzo' and 'Baptisma'. The word 'Baptizo' is the immersion of a person or even an object. This was very common in the service of the temple. The word 'Baptisma' is referring to the cerimony of a Christian Baptism, which is derived from the word 'Baptizo' because the Christian Baptism is performed by immersing a person as they make the oath required for entering the New Covenant.

And from the market, except they immerse, they don't eat. And there is much more which they have received to be kept, baptism of cups, and pots, and copper dishes and beds. Mk 7,4

In Mark 7,4 both words are used. The Pharasees would not eat until they were immersed in a mikwah. And the cups and dishes were also immersed, but in a ceremonal way.

Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be immersed everyone of you in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Act 2,38


This special place he has prepared for his disciples is something greater than we could ever imagine. It is reserved for those sincere disciples who were washed from their sins by his very blood as they are immersed in baptism. In faithfulness to their baptismal covenant they were ordained from him to overcome Satan and his temptations. These are people who heeded the message of his disciples as they proclaimed his salvation to the ends of the earth.


By repenting and being immersed, sinners are cleansed and redeemed by his very blood. They are born into the kingdom of God as his beloved children. And through this great redemption which happens in this baptism, people are freed from sin and are made fit to enter God's eternal glory, as long as they are faithful to their baptismal vows and there names are not removed from the book of life.

And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The glory of what will be eternally ours cannot be compared to anything of this earth. And to live for anything else can only be compared to the sin of Esau, who exchanged his birthright for a bowl of soup. To those who reject the forgiveness of sins accomplished by Jesus on Golgotha, to those who are not immersed after hearing the gospel of their salvation, they cannot enter his heavenly sanctuary because of their uncleanness. Can we not hear even today the voice of him calling to us, that we prepare ourselves for the marriage supper of the Lamb?

To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev 3,21

Burning the Sin Offering in the fire of God's wrath.

As Jesus suffered the great pain in his hands nailed to the wood, he would often glance at the temple, which lay before him to the left.

I will worship toward Your holy temple, and give thanks to Your name for Your mercy, and for Your truth; for You have magnified Your Word above all Your name. You answered me in the day that I cried; Psa 138,2,3a

The soldiers had placed Jesus on the cross looking towards the city of Jerusalem. Sometimes his lips would move as if he was having with someone a conversation. To whom was Jesus speaking as he suffered on the cross?

O LORD, rebuke me not in your wrath: neither chasten me in your hot displeasure. For your arrows stick fast in me, and your hand bears heavily upon me. Ps 38,2

And why was he suffering? What sin had he done?

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger; neither is there any rest in my bones as a result of my sin. Ps 38,3

Jesus had no soundness in his flesh as a result of his sin. How innumerable were his sins and iniquities! How could they ever be counted?

For my iniquities are gone over my head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Ps 38,4

Why does he keep whispering about his abundant sins and iniquities? Was it not because of his foolishness that he deserved to be punished?

My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I have committed iniquity and have been brought down so very low; I go mourning all the day long. Ps 38,5-6

What were those words that John proclaimed to Israel as Jesus was identified as the Lamb of God which takes upon himself the sins of the world? Was he not now that innocent Lamb suffering as a burnt offering? Were not the sins of the trespasser transferred upon the Lamb? And thereby the sins of the transgressor make the innocent Lamb to become sin. Is not the Lamb killed because of sin, and the one who sinned receives atonement and is made righteous through its blood?

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Cor 5,21

His whispering often sounded more like the moaning of one in great turmoil.

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am faint and have collapsed so very low: I moan from the turmoil in my heart. Ps 38,7-8

His strength was coming to an end. How great was that burden of sin!

My heart pants, my strength fails me: as for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me. Ps 38,10

Who could fathom what was happening as darkness came over all the land at midday! Even his closest frients stood afar off, stunned in bewilderment, baffled by his plague. Were they not also in his line of view as he saw the entrance of the temple?

My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off. Psa 38,11

All day long the High Priests Annas and Caiaphas had been deeply involved with executing the death sentence on this blasphemer who claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God.

They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. Ps 38,12
 
How Pilate marveled as Jesus didn't speak. Could he not have given an answer to set correct the many false accusations?

But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth. So I was as a man that hears not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. Ps 38,13-14

Or was it rather his steadfast trust in the LORD that held his foot from slipping? Yet his many enemies delighted in these precious moments.

For in you, O LORD, do I hope: you will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me. Ps 38,15-16

Crucified! Despised! His back ripped open, his beard torn out, his face marred and the palms of his hands nailed to the wood. How long could this continue?

For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. Ps 38,17

What was that spoken by the two high priests together with the scribes?

And likewise also the high priests, mocking with one another, with the sages, were saying, He saved others; he can not save himself. The Messiah! The King of Israel! Let him now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe. And those crucified with him reviled him. Mk 15,31-32

Certainly the high priests were in service to the LORD as they had him crucified. He was a threat for the nation. It was better that one man should die, and not that the whole nation should perish. And was not his sin especially dangerous for Israel? Was it not Moses himself who commanded that such people be put to death?

For I will declare my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. Ps 38,18

It was too late for remorse. No pity would be shown to this deceiver. How many had already fallen into this deception. The time had come for it to be stopped.

But my enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. Ps 38,19

How many were those gathered against him on that eve of the Passover. Caiaphas had spent the whole day in nothing but assuring that Jesus be crucified. He would show no mercy to this transgressor. He was to die as a warning to others, that they not transgress the Law of Moses.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because that he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isa 53,12

How many were shaking their heads and scorning him! Was there nobody who might show him comfort in this hour of suffering?

Reproach has broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Ps 69,20

But what evil did he do? Did he not heal so many blind and lame people?

They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that is good. Ps 38,20

As the soldiers finished parting his garments, they sat there at the base of the cross. Together with the chief priests they would now and again add wood to keep the fire of suffering burning. Yet even in the fire of this hot oven his eyes would often glance towards the heavens in hope.

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. Ps 38,22

Mortified by the hate of those surrounding him, Jesus cries out to his father.

And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And parting His clothing, they cast lots. Lk 23,34

But the soldiers are more interested in his clothing. The inscription nailed to the cross of Jesus was extraordinarily large. Pilate had purposefully made it that way so that everyone who went in and out of the city could read it. For the place where Jesus was crucified was very near the city.
 
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And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Lk 23,38

Some of the priestly group were not very happy with the title that Pilate had written on it. Since Pilate was not there, but still in the Roman Quarters of the city not far from the Sheep Gate, they went to him with their request to have it removed and put another one up in its place.

Then the high priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write, the king of the Jews, but that he said, I am king of the Jews. Joh 19,21 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. Joh 19,21,22

They went to Pilate shortly after the cross had been lifted up, even as his clothes were being parted. Unfortunately they had to return to their fellow priests and give them the news that Pilate did not grant them their request.

And the people were standing beholding; Diatessaron 51,35

They were beholding as Jesus suffered in great agony. What were they thinking? Certainly such a horrible torture was an affliction from God.

Surely he has borne our sicknesses, and carried our pains: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  Isa 53,4

Why did they pierce his hands and his feet? Why did they bruise and scourge him? Did not Jesus himself tell his disciples of what awaited him in Jerusalem?

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his scourging we are healed. Isa 53,4

As his palms were pierced he didn't curse, but cried out to the invisible one who sees everything.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Isa 49,16

Even from his youth he had read the Holy Scriptures. But for many in his generation he seemed to be more like an outcast, oddly different. Why were those who were the rulers of Israel and those who teach from the Holy Scriptures so angry with him?

My soul is among lions: and I lie being burnt by the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Ps 57,4

Just as the Red Heifer and all the burnt offerings, the Messiah was being burnt by the sons of men. The four heathen soldiers, to whom he had been delivered over to be crucified, were now at the foot of the cross guarding him. Just as the very hot oven which bakes of the most holy meal offering, so was the great heat of the fire of suffering preparing for the world the eternal bread of life. 

Was not the Red Heifer to be burnt before the face of the deputy High Priest? And so did Jesus suffer, naked and in great pain before Caiaphas and the leaders of Israel.

And was it not required that the Red Heifer must be sacrificed because it is a Red Heifer and for no other reason? And so was Jesus of Nazareth crucified, because he claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God.

Golgotha had a close view of the north side of the altar, where all of the Passover Lambs were being sacrificed. Throngs of people were singing the Small Hallel, Psalms 113 - 118, led by the Levites standing on the steps leading to the Nicanor gate, and everyone gathered on Golgotha could both hear and see them. How great was his salvation, delivering them from their slavery to the Egyptians! And what a great wonder happened on the third day as the Red Sea parted.

As Jesus was dying, he could see the north side of the huge altar standing directly before the temple entrance, for Golgotha was northeast of the temple. Hundreds of thousands of Israelites were bringing their lambs to be slaughtered and hung upon hooks.

The Price of Atonement.

Save me, O God! For the waters have come in on my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. Ps 69,1,2

It was Jesus, the Messiah, who was speaking through the words of the Psalmist. The agony and passion he suffered as his blood dripped out for the atonement could be heard throughout all generations. Even from the beginning, the blood of the firstborn lamb which Abel sacrificed testified to this atonement.

I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: my eyes fail while I wait for my God. Ps 69,3

It had now been over an hour since Jesus had been hanging on the tree. Even his crying had become week, his eyes no longer focused.

More than the hairs of my head; they hated me without a cause. They are mighty who cut me off, being my enemies because of lies. That which I did not take away, now I must restore. Ps 69,4

The leaders of Israel, both the Elders and the priests, hated him without a cause. But did not even Daniel write about the Messiah being cut off, but not for himself? Could it be that the LORD himself had pleasure in the travail of his soul, as he bore our iniquities? Yet how cruel was his judgment by Caiaphas and the Elders of the people! Why did Jesus not answer all the charges against him?

O God, you know my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from you. Ps 69,5

How heavy were his sins upon him. Or were they really his sins? Was it really his foolishness? Or is this not the reason why the hands of those who had sinned were laid upon the sin offerings, that they be no longer their sins, but the sins of the sacrifice, that it die for its sins?

Let not them that wait on you, O Lord, LORD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek you be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. Ps 69,6

How readily did Jesus agree with their accusations! He was guilty before God; how many sins were laying upon his head in the sight of an angry God. Was it not from his Father, that the elders of Israel had laid their hands on his head before the entrance door of the temple, and more accurately, both in the Sanhedrin south of the Altar and in the court before the temple.

Let not them that wait on you, O Lord, LORD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek you be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. Ps 69,6

Carrying such shame from the leaders of Israel could cause anyone who believed that Jesus was the Messiah to be confounded. Is this what happens to those who put their trust in the LORD?

Because for your sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered my face. Ps 69,7

But was it not for the LORD's sake that he bore such shame? Who amongst those gathered on Golgotha could possibly believe that the LORD would ever do this to his Servant? His friends and his four brothers were perplexed as they beheld his plague.

I am become a stranger to my brethren, and an alien to my mother's children. Ps 69,8

Was not Jesus, even from his youth, zealous for his Father's house? Why then was he suffering such reproach from those who professed to be the promised seed of Abraham?

For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you are fallen upon me. Ps 69,9

Was not his zeal for the house of the LORD the very reason why he suffered such reproach? Was it not because of envy that they had delivered him up to Pilate?

When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. Ps 69,10

The more sickness he bore, healing those who were sorely oppressed, the more they reproached him and sought to destroy him.

I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them. Ps 69,11

How great was his compassion for those lost sheep of the House of Israel. But even the mentioning of his name brought danger.

Those sitting in the gate are talking about me; I am the [theme of the] song of drunkards. Ps 69,12

Jesus glanced to his right. Because the place where he was crucified was so close to the gate he could hear the words of those gathered at the gate. They were talking about him. And a few drunkards were busy making up songs about him. Their reproachful songs rhymed and sounded like proverbs.



Was not the Sheep Gate built by the priests in the days of Nehemiah because it was located so close to the temple, not far from Bethesda, north of the temple grounds? 

This was the day of Preparation for the Passover, which was the 14th of Nissan,  also called Abib. How busy were the streets and the traffic in the Sheep Gate as preparations were made for the feast of unleavened bread. In the temple grounds the Levites and priests were still singing the Hallel as the people of Israel sacrificed their Passover Lambs before the face of the LORD, on the north side of the temple.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of your mercy hear me, in the truth of your salvation. Ps 69,13

The pains in his hands and his feet were immense, yet he was more aware of his heart melting as wax within him, his suffocating from lack of oxygen and his bones being pulled continually more and more out of joint. And in his passion he prayed and cried out with all of his heart for mercy and salvation.

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Ps 69,14

How miserable were those last hours. Just as Jonah could hardly breath and suffered greatly in deep waters, trapped in the stomach of the fish, so Jesus struggled with all his strength for each breath of air as those who hated him shot with their lips accusations and scorn.

Let not the flood waters overflow me, nor the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Ps 69,15

Jesus knew that shortly he would fall into the pit where the dead never return. Death itself was now taking hold of him, ready to swallow him forever.

Hear me, O LORD ; for your lovingkindness is good: turn to me according to the multitude of your tender mercies. Ps 69,16

How long would his suffering continue? How much heavier could his burden of sin become before he would die?

They that passed by were reviling him, and shaking their heads, and saying, You that destroys the temple, and buildst it in three days, save yourself if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross. Diatesseron 51,36-37

How cruel were those gathered together on Golgotha, vehemently reviling him. Yet with all his heart he cried out to the LORD for his lovingkindness and tender mercies. Mercy, for his mercy endures forever.

Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. Ps 70,3

Again he pushed himself up, that he might gasp some air. How long would this continue?

Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. Ps 35,17

His enemies were raging against him, more numerous than the hairs of his head.

Draw near to my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of my enemies. Ps 69,18

And those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" Mk 15,29-30

You have known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: my adversaries are all before you. Ps 69,19

Was there anyone who might show him comfort? Was anyone willing to stand against the opinion of the Chief Priests and Elders of the land, that he must die because he committed blasphemy? Had they all forgotten the countless healings that happened in the temple just days earlier? Where were the blind who had just received their sight?

Reproach has broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Ps 69,20

What about the compassion showed him as he arrived at Golgotha? After being so thirsty they held out a cup for him to drink.

They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Ps 69,21

It was wine which had gone bad, more like vinegar. And the wine was mixed with myrrh. They had no intention of showing him any compassion.

And they offered him vinegar mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Mk 15,23

And the soldiers also scoffed at him in that they came near unto him, and brought him vinegar, and said unto him, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself. Diatesseron 51,42-43

Instead of comfort, they laughed about him. Behind him he could hear clearly the man who hated him so greatly, the High Priest.

And in like manner the chief priests and the scribes and the elders and the Pharisees derided him, and laughed one with another, and said, The saviour of others cannot save himself. If he is the Messiah, the chosen of God, and the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, that we may see, and believe in him.  Diatesseron 51,37-40

Jesus again glanced at the temple to his right. He could see the curtain covering its entrance. Was it not here that he would find mercy, in the awesome presence of LORD?

But as for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy: and in your fear will I worship toward your holy temple. Ps 5,7

What reward would those receive who played a vital part in murdering the Messiah? For the Messiah, he went as it was written of him. But what about his enemies?

The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Matt 26,24

Was not Judas one of his chosen twelve apostles, a close acquaintance? of Jesus, with whom he had gone to the temple just days earlier?  But then they weighted out for Judas the thirty pieces of silver from the temple treasury, paid in full by the High Priests. Was not this the ransom price for those sold to sin? And must not the soul bound to sin die, unless he be ransomed? How glorious will be the future of the Ransomed!

And did not the High Priest give Judas the price by which they valued Jesus?

And I said to them, If it is pleasing in your eyes, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed out my price: thirty pieces of silver. Zech 11,12

Yes, it was pleasing in their eyes. And the price for the Messiah they took from the treasury, specifically from the money dedicated for temple repairs.

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. Mk 14,10

But what did Judas do with the blood money? Did he not cast it to the keeper of the treasury?

And the Lord said to me: Cast it to the keeper of the treasury, to the stronghold of glory-of which I stripped them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and I cast it into the house of the Lord, to the keeper of the treasury. Zech 11,13

But then the question arose, can blood money be given to the temple treasury?

But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Matt 27,6-7

So the High Priests threw it to the one who had the foundry furnace!

And the lord said to me, Lower them into the foundry furnace! and look about, if it is unadulterated! In which manner I was proved for them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and I put them into the house of the lord , into the foundry furnace. Zec 11,13 SEPTUAGINT

Yes, this money was adulterated! Taking money from the treasury to hire someone, that they might murder the Messiah, could not be justified before God.

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. Ps 109,2

What a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! After months of plotting, they finally had compassed him about, that they might make an end to his teachings and healings. Judas had been hired by the High Priest Caiaphas himself.

Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened from seeing me; and make their loins continually to shake. Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their habitation be desolate and let none dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom you have smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom you have wounded. Add iniquity to their iniquity: and let them not come into your righteousness. Let them be removed from the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. Ps 69,22-28

As Judas realized what he had done he hanged himself. Though he was still young, he committed suicide and forfeited his office as an apostle. Even the children of Judas suffered the curse of God as they wandered about as beggars. For the extortioner came and showed no mercy. In the following generation his posterity and memory was cut off. And why did this happen? Because he slew the Messiah without a cause. Just as Esau, he despised his office as an apostle and chose the curse. And as he hung, all of his bowels came out. His miserable curse became known to all who lived in Jersualem.

But do you for me, O LORD, the Lord, for your name's sake: because your mercy is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. Ps 109,21-22

For three hours the reproaching never ceased, but rather increased. How many had shaken the head or shot the lip or even waving their fists?

I am gone like the shadow when it declines: I am tossed up and down as the locust. My knees are weak from fasting; and my flesh fails of fatness. I became also a reproach to them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads. Ps 109,23-25

Could anyone recognize that his suffering was from the LORD? And that those who were cursing him would not go unpunished as the LORD highly exalt his Son to his right hand?

So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Mk 15,31

The Ninth Hour.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matt 27,46

Jesus had now been hanging by the nails for three hours. It was now the ninth hour, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. His heart was failing him and his bones fully torn apart within his skin.

For evils have compassed me about, boundless without number. My iniquities have overtaken me, I am not able to behold them; they are more than the hairs of my head: and my heart gives up. Ps 40,12b

Because of his failing strength he was suffocating, hardly able to push himself up that he might breath. Blood was dripping from his pierced hands and feet, from his head wounds and from his back which had been layed open with thirty nine stripes. Behold the man! Did not countless angels in heaven bear witness to this so long awaited redemption? An atoning sacrifice? Or had his Father forsaken him?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Ps 22,1

Now for thee hours he had been roaring to his Father for help. Because his sins were more than the hairs of his head arrows of the Almighty were shot at him. The breath of the Almighty, that same breath which kindled the lake of fire, was blowing upon him. God's beloved Son, forsaken because of his sin, was about to be cast into the depths of Sheol.  It is the place of God's anger? Do not all who have sinned go into Sheol to be imprisoned and tortured there as they await their eternal condemnation?

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you hear not; and in the night season, and am not silent. Ps 22,2

All through the day he had been crying out to his Father for mercy, that he might deliver him. But his Father did not hear him. Even though his Father loved him so very much, still he must punish all who have sinned. Jesus was no exception. How unholy was he on the cross.

You are holy, O you that inhabits the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in you: they trusted, and you did deliver them. They cried to you, and were delivered: they trusted in you, and were not confounded. Ps 22,3-5

Yet Jesus knew that his Father was holy. Nothing unholy can behold God. How abhorable was Jesus now with such an immense burden of iniquity. They had completely overtaken him.

But I am a crimson worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Ps 22,6

Was not Jesus a crimson worm in the eyes of God? This crimson worm was the one the people were reproaching. Was Jesus not a reproach to both God and the people? The High Priest Caiaphas was throwing upon him the crimson wool, but was he not doing this under the orders of the LORD? It was not the High Priest, but the LORD himself who casting upon him the crimson wool, and that in great abundance!

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. Ps 22,8

Those standing watching him and those going in and out of the city were shaking their heads in disgust. They shot out their lips and laughed at him. Was not this the one from whom John bare witness, that he is the Son of God? How ridiculous! This crimson worm claimed to be the Son of God? With this and other phrases they laughed him to scorn. If God is really pleased with him, then certainly he will deliver him now!

Was not Jesus crying out for his Father to deliver him? If he really was his beloved Son, certainly the almighty God would hear his plea. Certainly this crimson worm was an evil man, suffering the fate he deserved! Did not the High Priest himself call for witnesses in the city to testify to his wickedness? Their scoffing had now been going on for over twelve hours, sounding like the noise of dogs.

Ever again the voice of the deputy High Priest could be heard in the crowd, supervising the throwing in of the crimson wool.

So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,...  He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" Matt 27,41,43

How quick were the bystanders in responding to his prompts! They shook their heads, repeating what the deputy High Priests had said, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. If you be the Son of God, then come down from the cross.

WHEN IT (Red Heifer) BURST HE TOOK UP A POSITION OUTSIDE ITS PIT AND TAKING HOLD OF CEDAR WOOD, HYSSOP AND SCARLET WOOL, HE SAID TO THE BYSTANDERS, ‘IS THIS CEDARWOOD? IS THIS CEDARWOOD?’ ‘IS THIS HYSSOP? IS THIS HYSSOP’ ‘IS THIS SCARLET WOOL? IS THIS SCARLET Wool?’ THREE TIMES HE REPEATED EACH QUESTION AND THEY ANSWERED HIM ‘YEA, YEA!’ - THREE TIMES TO EACH QUESTION. Parah 3,10

Though his eyes had grown dim as he was nearing death, still his ears could hear everything. He even understood the songs of those drunkards sitting in the gate.

And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." Matt 27,39-40

Certainly the Chief Priests, the Elders of Israel, the Pharisees and the Scribes could not all be wrong! In this crucifixion they all had unity; he deserves death.

And in like manner the chief priests and the scribes and the elders and the Pharisees derided him, and laughed one with another, and said, The saviour of others cannot save himself. If he is the Messiah, the chosen of God, and the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, that we may see, and believe in him. He that relieth on God—let him deliver him now, if he is pleased with him: for he said, I am the Son of God. Diatesseron 51,37-41
 
Now everyone was in unity with the chief priests. They were all laughing at him and saying the same thing. ' He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him'. Their howling could be heard throughout the city.

And yet Jesus still called out to God for mercy to be shown for his sins! Had he not hoped on God even from his mother's womb? Why should it be different now?

But you are he that took me out of the womb: you did make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon you from the womb: you are my God from my mother's belly. Ps 22,9-10

But what could God do? These were the strongest bulls of Israel, all dead set on seeing him die. Who possibly could help him?

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.  Ps 22,11-12

Just like the roaring of a lion, they were gaping upon him with their mouths. Nobody had anything to say about those malefactors crucified to his left and his right. It was him, and him alone against whom their voices were roaring.

They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. Ps 22,13

After so many hours watching his passion and his tortured face, the mockers gathered together for the feast of unleavened bread began to proclaim him as the King of Israel.

So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel...; Matt 27,41-42a

They were all proclaiming 'He is the Messiah', 'He is the King of Israel'. Above his head, in three languages, was written 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'. Pilate certainly believed this as he proclaimed to the Jews from the judgment seat of Israel that Jesus is their king. As they began shouting at him to take him away from the Judgment seat, Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?'

And in like manner the chief priests and the scribes and the elders and the Pharisees derided him, and laughed one with another, and said, The saviour of others cannot save himself. If he is the Messiah, the chosen of God, and the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, that we may see, and believe in him.  Diatesseron 51,37-41

Unfortunately he did not stand his ground, nor did he listen to his wife. Instead, as the leader of Jerusalem, he fulfilled the commandment given by Moses.

And all the elders of that city, that are next to the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Atone for, O LORD , your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and lay not innocent blood on your people Israel, in their midst. And the blood shall be atoned for them. Deut 21,6-8

Jesus stood before them as the heifer whose neck had already been broken in the valley; in the great Sanhedrin between Mount Moriah and Golgotha, where the land is neither worked or sown.

And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD your God has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in the name of the LORD ; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke come. Deut 21,5

As the judgment took place, the priests, the sons of Levi, came close to examine him. The LORD had chosen them to serve him in this most important atoning sacrifice. And it was by their words that every controversy came.  And it was by the hands of the priests and the whole Sanhedrin that every stroke came.

With his neck broken, the heifer was then brought to the elders of the city; to Pilate in the praetorium.

And immediately, in the morning, the chief priests having made a consultation, with the elders, and scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, having bound Jesus, did lead him away, and delivered him to Pilate; Mk 15,1

And according to the commandment of Moses, Pilate, together with the other elders of the city, washed his hands over the heifer.

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Matt 27,24-25

His blood was to be on them and their children. On those who hearkened to the words of the Prophet, his blood atoned for their sins and dressed them with the glorious garments of Salvation. On those who rejected his words, his blood came upon them in the desolation of Jerusalem and he required it of them.

The High Priests and the Elders of Israel made their promise to homage him as their King.

He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. Matt 27,42b

Once he came down from the cross, they promised to believe in him! But Jesus had promised them a much greater sign.
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Joh 2,19

Did they not remind him about his promise on this very special day?

At last two false witnesses having come near, and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" Matt 26,60b-61

All through the day the inhabitants of Israel reminded him of his promise. Could he save himself? Would the LORD deliver him?

And those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." Matt 27,39-40

His promise was known by many of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Greater than coming down from the cross, he promised them the sign of of raising from the dead on the third day. The Chief Priests and Elders were keenly aware of this, for he had told them about this special sign a number of times. Could it be that the Chief Priests and Elders wouldn't believe even when he would perform this greatest of all signs.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: Ps 22,14a

No longer did Jesus have a structure in his body; his frame had become like water. For all of his bones were out of joint. He could even count them as they floated within his skin. And continually, in his greatest agony, his enemies taunted him.

For my life is ending with affliction, and my years with groanings: my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are consumed. Ps 31,10

Who could fathom the toll of iniquity? To his enemies he was a reproach. With his neighbours and acquaintances, standing in the distance, he was a dread. And many who saw him without the camp fled.

I was a reproach among all my enemies, Especially with my neighbours dreaded, as by my acquaintances: they that did see me without fled. Ps 31,11

He had fallen into their net which they had been plotting for months.The time was very near in which the Messiah would be cut off from the land of the living.

My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and you have brought me into the dust of death. Ps 22,14b-15

His whole body was at the brink of no longer working. Jesus was now taking his last breaths in the dust of death. He then shortly recounts what they had done to him.

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they bored my hands and my feet. Ps 22,16

Four dogs, heathens without God, were the ones who had hammered the nails which bored through his hands and his feet. But it was the assembly of the wicked, the Chief Priests, the Elders of Israel and the whole Sanhedrin, which had enclosed him. Immediately after having the hands and the feet of the Messiah bored through, forty years before the destruction of the temple, the LORD removed this wicked assembly from his temple.

I can count all my bones: they look and stare upon me. Ps 22,17

Nothing of his bones or his flesh was sound. And yet in all of his beatings, not one of his bones had been broken. They were still all accounted for, but torn from their sockets and floating within his skin, especially his arms and his breast which had been torn apart by his body hanging from the nails.

And he shall tear at the wings but shall not sever them. The priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is on the fire: it is offered up as a burnt offering, fire with a sweet savour to the LORD . Lev 1,17

Everyone was stunned as they looked and stared upon him. They were thinking, 'His face was so marred and his body had been pulled apart so much that he hardly looks like a man. '

As many were stunned at you; "His appearance is so marred, from that of a man, and his features from the sons of men: Isa 52,14

How long would this extreme torture continue? How long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things and boast about their successful plot in killing him?

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? And all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? Ps 94,4

The lions of Israel were gathered together to destroy him. Just as the lion reigns in his territory, so were these rulers of Israel united in having him destroyed.

Lord, how long will you look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. Ps 35,17

His Father had forsaken him because he had sinned so greatly.  And his enemies rejoiced in his blood. But did not the LORD required it from those in Jerusalem who refused to hearken to the Messiah?  Just forty years later the desolation of Jerusalem came and they were cut off?

Did not Jesus clearly warn those who hearkened to him? And when the armies came, the righteous did not die with the unrighteous, but all those in Judea, who hearkened to the Messiah fled northwards over the mountains and settled on the other side of the Jordan River.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near... for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Lk 21,20,22,23a,25

Just as the one who slaughters the Red Heifer does before the face of the deputy High Priest, so did the Roman soldiers slaughter the Messiah before the face of Caiaphas.

And you shall give her to Eleazar the priest. He shall taker her out to the outside of the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: Num 19,3

Once they had bored the nails into his hands and had erected the cross, he saw them go after his garments.

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. Ps 22,18

But since there were four of them, and his vesture had no seam in it, they casted lots for it. But this had happened three hours earlier. Now his end had come, his last cry to his Father.

But be not you far from me, O LORD : O my strength, haste to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth: Ps 22,19-21a

Just as the one who burns the Red Heifer does it in the sight of the deputy High Priest, and must remain there until the heifer is burnt to ashes, so did Caiaphas remain outside the camp until Jesus was dead.

And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; the skin, the flesh, the blood, with its dung shall it be burned. Num 19,5

Just as the Chief Priests must plan for months the sacrifice of the Red Heifer; choosing the three boys of eight years, building the Causeway, making the stone clean place outside the camp, assuring that the eastern wall was not too high for the view of the priest who sprinkled the blood, and carefully watching the heifer to assure that no yoke would be placed on him, so had Caiaphas been greatly occupied with preparing for the sacrifice of the Messiah.

Although it was now the eve of the Passover, and thousands of Israelites were sacrificing their Passover Lambs a couple hundred yards away north of the altar, still Caiaphas was doing no work, but simply watching the Messiah burn in the most extreme torture.

My enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? Ps 41,5

Jesus knew that this time on this earth was coming to an end. But what about his hope of rising from the dead? Can one who had been marred with so much iniquity possibly rise out of hell?

An evil disease, say they, cleaves fast to him: and now that he lies he shall rise up no more. Ps 41,8

What an important role did Judas play in the plotting of Caiaphas! It was the friend of Jesus, not his enemy, who lifted up his heel against him.

Yes, my friend, the man in whom I trusted, which ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Ps 41,9

As Jesus had cried out 'Eli, Eli' a number of the heathen, who did not understand Aramaic, thought that he was calling for Elijah.

And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." Matt 27,47

Knowing that all the Scriptures concerning him had been fulfilled, he cried out again, this time for something to drink.

After this, knowing that all things have now been finished that the Scripture be fulfilled, Jesus said, I thirst. Joh 19,28

Who would ever think that anyone would dare run to help him with the Roman soldiers carefully guarding him, not to mention the Chief Priests and Elders of Israel. But there was a man there ready to risk his life to fulfill his request.

And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." Matt 27,48-49

Or were there two of them? And what was he carrying in his hand? It was a hyssop branch sprinkling some red fluid as he ran. And raising it up he sprinkled Jesus with it, and gave him to drink.

A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. Joh 19,29

Jesus received what had been brought him and cried with a loud voice, yielding the spirit.

And Jesus having uttered a loud cry, yielded the spirit, Mk 15,37

And what words did he uttered as he yielded the spirit?

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. Lk 23,45b-46

Into your hand I commit my spirit: Ps 31,5a

This cry had been heard a thousand years earlier by David. His purpose for coming into the world had been fulfilled.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Joh 19,30

What a joy he must have had, despite the great sin and pain of being sacrificed as a burnt offering, to know that he fulfilled that for which his beloved Father had sent him to the earth!

All that the prophets had foretold concerning the suffering of the Messiah had been fulfilled, not one failed. The Passover had now been fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. The atoning sacrifice was complete. And added to this a very special sign was given concerning its validity.

Immediately as Jesus ripped his spirit from his body, the curtain before the entrance doors of the temple was ripped from top to bottom.

And immediately the face of the door of the temple was rent into two parts from top to bottom; Diatesseron 52,8-9

What great prophecy was connected to the curtain before the entrance doors of the temple being ripped open?

Could a Red Heifer be sacrificed with the curtain of the temple closed? Was it not required that the priest who sprinkled the blood see the entrance door of the temple?

ALL THE WALLS OF THE TEMPLE WERE HIGH EXCEPT THE EASTERN WALL, SO THAT THE PRIEST WHO BURNT THE RED HEIFER MIGHT WHILE STANDING ABOVE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES BY DIRECTING HIS GAZE CAREFULLY SEE THE DOOR OF THE HEKAL AT THE TIME OF THE SPRINKLING OF THE BLOOD. Middoth 2,9

And for this reason, although the curtain was normally always closed (for privacy of the priests performing their services), on the eight occasions on which the Red Heifer was sacrificed on the Mount of Olives, these curtains must be opened so the priest who sprinkles the blood may look directly at the door of the temple.

And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly towards the front of the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: Num 19,4

This prophecy foretold that when the valid Red Heifer sacrifice would occur, the priest who sprinkles the blood (in this case Caiaphas) must see the door of the temple. The LORD himself ripped the curtain and those gathered at the top of Golgotha saw the temple curtain rip open. And the priest saw the entrance door of the temple.



Why is it recorded that the priest saw but one door? There were two doors to the temple. However, when they were opened, since they were folding doors that were opened inwards, it was not possible to see both doors from anywhere on the Mount of Olives. From the place where the Red Heifer was sacrificed, northeast of the temple, only the southern door could be seen.

Search in the book of the LORD and read: not one of these shall fail, Isa 34,16

Was there any prophecy concerning the suffering of the Messiah that was not fulfilled as Jesus died as a burnt offering for the sins of the world? I know of none.

And I will place hostility between you and between the woman, and between your seed and between her seed; He shall crush your head, and you shall crush his heel. Gen 3,15

Starting at the first prophecy concerning his heel being crushed and the crushing of the head of the serpent, they were all fulfilled.

Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, Lk 24,44-46

What a great price was paid for the redemption of all who would put their trust in him!

Knowing that not with corruptible things, silver or gold, were you redeemed from your worthless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood of the Messiah, as a lamb without blemish and without spot, 1Pe 1,18-1919

This atonement was so important to the LORD that one prophet after another spoke of the suffering and resurrection of the Messiah! For those Israelites who lived before Jesus, their faith in the words of the Prophets brought through the sacrifices of burnt offerings their atonement even before Jesus had accomplished the atonement through his blood on Golgotha. For those of all nations who lived after Jesus, their faith in the words of those who preach this message of his death and resurrection and their obedience to repent and be baptized brings the same forgiveness of sins.

And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this perverse generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Act 2,38-42

Just as those who went to Jerusalem and sacrificed offerings for their sins, so are those who are led to the Jordan through their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, confessing their sins and repenting, forgiven as they are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. All of the heavenly recordings of their sins are nailed to his cross.

Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Col 2,12-14

By looking to Jesus suffering for their sins on this cross, they are healed from the deadly sickness of sin.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Joh 3,14-16

Although Jesus was obedient to fulfilling the will of his Father, still it was his Father who sent Jesus to die as a burnt offering for our sins. He sacrificed that which was most dear to him, his beloved Son. Only the sprinkling of his blood on Golgotha atones for our sins. Any other attempt of man to please God or find forgiveness through some other offering or sacrifice he does not regard.

East of Jesus (behind him) were those who hated him without a cause. Could it be that the priest did not even want to be in Jesus' sight? Could that be the reason why the priest was always behind the sacrifice, but also facing west? Caiaphas was facing towards the northeast side of the altar, where the Passover Lambs were being sacrificed as Jesus suffered on the cross.

On the special eight days in which the eight Red Heifers were sacrificed, the priest could see from over seven hundred meters away the 9,2 meter high door of the temple. Normally the curtain of the temple is always closed, giving the priests privacy for their service within the temple, for the temple door must be opened before they begin their sacrifices. But if the curtain was closed on the day the Red Heifer was sacrificed, the sacrifice would have been invalid.

What happened as Jesus died on the cross?

At that moment the curtain of the temple entrance was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. Mat 27,51 Peshitta

The curtain of the temple entrance was ripped from the top to the bottom. This direct line from Golgotha to the southern temple door was obstructed by the curtain of the temple. If this curtain was not opened, the sacrifice of the Red Heifer was not valid. And in the same way, by the curtain being torn in two at precisely this direct line, the validity of the sacrifice of Jesus as the true Red Heifer was confirmed.

For we have learnt: The entrance to the Hekal was twenty cubits high and ten cubits wide, and that to the Ulam (pourch) was forty cubits high and twenty cubits wide. Eiruvin 2a

The south door was approximately 9,2 meters high and 2,8 meters wide. At a distance of about 700 meters, the priest who sprinkled the blood could see clearly this door. From the top of Golgotha, which was only 330 meters away, Caiaphas had a perfect view of the curtain, and once the curtain ripped, of the southern temple door.
 

Locating Golgotha.

Because the LORD loved Abraham, he told him to sacrifice his son on this very special mount. At the time Abraham lived in the land of the Philistines. He said to him, 'go to the land of Moriah'. Abraham knew where the land of Moriah was; it was the vicinity of where Jerusalem is today. So he traveled for three days before the LORD showed him the exact place.

This special mount which the LORD commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son was not Mount Moriah. The mount on which the LORD showed Abraham had as yet no name. And Abraham did not name it 'Mount Moriah', but rather 'JHWH JIREH' (The LORD sees).

And Abraham called the name of that place JHWH Jireh as it is said to this day, In the mount the LORD is seen. Gen 22,14

The mount Jhwh Jireh looks like the upper part of a head. At the time of Abraham it also had thickets growing upon it, testified to by the ram whose horns were caught in them.

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. Gen 22,13

But later Israel had many droughts because of their sins. And just as much of the beauty of the Promised Land disappeared over the centuries, so also did Jhwh Jireh slowly change to look like a bald head, and was then later called 'Golgotha', or skull. And in Greek it was named 'Cranium Place'.

At the time of Abraham it was the mount in which the LORD was seen. But later it was simply the top of a skull.

From this mount the LORD sees the sacrifices of Israel. The mount itself has the appearance of a head looking to that exact place on the north side of the altar where the sacrificial animals of Israel must be killed.

And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD Lev 1,11a

And because it is shaped as the top of a person's head looking, in the mount 'the LORD is seen'.

It seemed that for the next eight hundred years nothing concerning the mount JHWH JIREH occurred which was of major importance. But then as David numbered the Israelites, directly against what God commanded Moses except if they be ransomed, there came a plague where seventy thousand Israelites died. The prophet Gad came that same day, just as the angel was about to slay the inhabitants of Israel, and built an altar at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. It was the prophet Gad who revealed to David the place God had ordained for the altar. It was not on the top of Mount Moriah, but a bit lower. Is it not reasonable that a threshing floor would not be at the top of a mount, seeing that the wheat would have to be carried to it? The place of the altar was on Mount Moriah, on the east side of the top, between the top of Moriah and the top of Golgotha.

Later the temple was then built west of the altar, on the very top of Mount Moriah.

As the second temple was built, Ezra and the priests built first the altar and then the foundation at the same location of the first temple. Just northeast of this altar was Golgotha. And it was this reason that even before the altar was built, the LORD spoke to Moses that the offerings shall be slayed on the north side of the altar, before the LORD. For the LORD personified himself with mount Golgotha, which looked first like a groomed head but later like the skull pan of a head. Amazingly God created the mount looking towards the north side of the altar, which was in his direct line of view as he looked at the southern entrance door of the temple.

In the days of Ezra the Sacrificial place for the Red Heifer was built, and he was instrumental with the second Red Heifer sacrifice. Amazingly the place which he built on the Mount of Olives looked directly over Golgotha, pinpointing the place where Jesus would one day be crucified. As the priest sprinkled the blood, he would be looking directly over the top of Golgotha as he gazed at the southern door of the temple. And knowing the accuracy of the LORD, his view was directed at that very spot on Golgotha where Jesus was crucified.





During the lifetime of Eusebius Helena, the mother of Constantine, declared the new location of Golgotha at the place which she claims the LORD revealed to her. However Eusebius never gave in his writings any recognition of her claim. In his work 'Onamasticon' Eusebius made the following statement concerning Golgotha:

Golgotha. Place of the skull where the Christ was crucified. It is pointed out in Jerusalem north of Mt. Zion. Eusebius Onomasticon Section C The Gospels.

Mount Zion in ancient times was located on the same mount which today is called the city of David. At that time this mount was referred to by Josephus as being within the old wall of Jerusalem. This vicinity was called in his days the upper city, and was adjacent to the lower city, which extended as far south as the pool of Siloam. In the days of Hezekiah however the wall extended only as far south as the Hezekiah tunnel.



The two mounts directly north of Mount Zion are Moriah and JHWH Jireh, also called Golgotha. Certainly Eusebius was not referring to the Temple Mount as being Golgotha, so it could only have been JHWH Jireh, the mount looking like the top of a skull.

The very first time I went through the Lions gate Jesus spoke to me in a special way, similar to how he spoke with me on the day of my conversion. I had come to Israel to baptize a woman in the Jordan river, who for forty years had been a believer, having been sprinkled as an infant, but had never been baptized as Jesus had commanded; fully immersed as a result of believing the message of Salvation and repenting from sin.

It was Friday afternoon on the 5th of June, 2009. We were sitting on a bench at the base of the Mount. I heard his words inwardly very clearly, 'I want to show you something'.  So I told those I was with, 'I must leave you for a time. But I will be back shortly'. Then the LORD directed me up the steep southern slope of Golgotha. As I was climbing, the Lord said, 'This is Golgotha.'

I am convinced that there is a reason that the Lord told me where Golgotha is located. For many years I have done research on the sacrifice of the Red Heifer, which is a shadow of the crucifixion of Jesus, containing in itself even the smallest details (see my bood on the Mystery of the Red Heifer). The ashes of the Red Heifer were mixed with living water and then sprinkled on the unclean with hyssop by a clean man. The unclean were sprinkled on the third and the seventh day and on the seventh day, the unclean person would wash his clothes and be fully immersed in water. By doing this, he would be clean as the sun would set and could enter the courts of the Temple.

And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at evening. Num 19,19

This is a shadow of baptism. Those who receive the third day sprinkling are those who receive the message of those sent to preach the gospel as they proclaim the death (the ashes) and resurrection (applied on the third day) of Jesus. The clean man is a saint of the living God sent to preach the gospel. And the hyssop is the gospel. Only these people who receive their message come to the seventh day, i.e. the day of their second sprinkling (message concerning entering the covenant), their cleansing of the clothes (repentance) and their immersion (baptism by immersion). If not all of these requirements were fulfilled, the priest required that the complete purification of seven days would be repeated. Whoever rejected this purification could not enter the temple (heaven - the kingdom of God) and would be cut off from God's people. (Damnation)

In this way the Lord fortold the requirements of a valid baptism. First, the person must believe those sent preaching the gospel concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus. (The third day sprinkling) Then the person is instructed in the requirements of the new covenant, to follow Jesus as a disciple. (The seventh day sprinkling) Then the person must confess their sins and repent. (The clothes washed on the seventh day) And finally the person is fully immersed in water. (Baptism by immersion). The person then resurrects with Jesus (we partake in his eighth day resurrection) and we receive the  forgivness of sins. (We are clean) Now our names are written in the book of Life and we have entered into the Kingdom of God. (We can enter the temple courts)

But the man that is unclean, and does not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water for impurity has not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. Num 19,20

Those who do not believe the gospel and are not immersed cannot enter the Kingdom of God and are condemned.

The one believing and being immersed will be saved; but the one not believing will be condemned. Mk 16,16

This is the reason that the Lord told me where both Golgotha and the site of the Red Heifer are located. He wishes to restore baptism, and with it communion and the complete foundation of his glorious Church.

And they that shall be of you shall build the old waste places: you shall raise up the foundations generation for generation, and you shall be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isa 58,12

Rebuilding the Ancient Foundation.

The LORD is today no different than he was two thousand years ago. Jesus came to make disciples and as he finished his calling on this earth, he committed the continuation of making disciples to the eleven. Have you ever considered becoming a disciple of Jesus? Do you wish to be one of those who seeks first the kingdom of God? Are you willing to live for Jesus and the sake of the Gospel? Then I must ask you, Have you been immersed in the name of Jesus Christ upon the confession of your faith? Did you make the bapismal oath of receiving Jesus as Lord of your life before being immersed in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And if so I beseech you to be faithful to your baptismal oath and live to fulfill God's will for your life.

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