Thursday, January 15, 2009

Words of Jesus

Some years ago, I purchased a Lamsa translation of the Bible, based on the original Aramaic Peshitta. In it, Jesus' words on the cross, in Matt. 27:46 and Mark 15:34, are: "My God, My God, for this I was spared." (Luke makes no mention of these words of Jesus on the cross), rather than what is written in most other translations, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
Lamsa writes that Jesus, in John 8:29, indicates His confidence that His Father would never leave Him alone: "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." Again, in John 16:32, it is written, "Indeed,the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own place, and yet, I am NOT alone because the Father is with Me."
In Ps. 22:1 (which He is said to be quoting), in Lamsa we read, My God, My God, why hast Thou let Me to live?" (To fulfill His purpose in coming?)
It seems to me that there is some merit in the Lamsa translation, for Jesus knew His purpose in coming, and knew He had fulfilled all His Father had sent Him to do.
It has always been a provocative point for me (as are a number of those things we find written in scripture)...and so, it is included here.