YAHUSHUA (Jesus) came into the world
to give His life as a ransom for the lives of every person that has ever lived or ever will.
A ransom is a price paid in order to redeem another from certain expected consequences.
We tend to think of ransom in relationship to kidnapping,
yet there are many other forms of ransom that actually occur in life.
We just don't always use that specific term in connection with them.
YAHWEH's Word declares there is no forgiveness of sin (pardon, or remission)
without the shedding of blood.
In order for us to be "ransomed" from the requirement
that our own blood must be shed because of our sin
it was necessary that YAHUSHUA give His very own life in order to "redeem" us.
He came into the world and lived in it completely without sin.
As the only human being since Adam and Eve to do this,
YAHUSHUA The Messiah, was uniquely qualified to serve as "the sacrificial Lamb"
(The Lamb without blemish referred to so often in The Old Covenant, especially in The Feast of Passover.).
In his purity He could actually be accepted as "the perfect sacrifice"
that would cover (obtain pardon for and allow YAHWEH to pass-over) our sin debt.
(Sin is rebellion against YAHWEH’s teaching.
It carries with it the requirement that the one who commits it
is guilty of violating the will of YAHWEH,
and the penalty for such violation is death.)
In order to demonstrate His incomprehensible love for us
YAHWEH sent His only Son into the world
to "pay the price" for our sin - to ransom us.
YAHUSHUA came willingly,
knowing He must die in order to pay the precious price that was needed.
His death would allow every person to be set free from the guilt of sin,
and it's resulting requirement of death.
("The wages of sin is death." Romans 6.23)
Once He was put to death, by His crucifixion, the price was paid
- for every person, and for all time.
It is now an accomplished fact.
All that's needed to avail yourself of the benefit
of this great sacrifice of Love
is to choose to believe, to truly believe, YAHUSHUA did this for you.
The result is called salvation, and/or redemption.
It means YAHWEH no longer counts you as being guilty of sin,
even though you have indeed sinned.
He “passes over” the debt
because YAHUSHUA has already paid that debt for you.
This makes The Feast of Passover,
during which this whole process took place,
take on a whole new meaning for the believer.
Sin is the rejection of YAHWEH as The Supreme God,
and/or one's rebellion against and violation of His desires.
There is not one human being who has never sinned, except YAHUSHUA.
Each one of us must choose whether we will believe what YAHUSHUA has done for us
or whether we will choose to not believe it.
That choice has eternal consequences.
As the result of YAHUSHUA's sacrificial death and resurrection,
you no longer owe anything,
nor can you do anything,
to remove your guilt for your own sin.
From YAHWEH's perspective, it's seen as justification
- just-as-if-I'd never sinned.
This is a remarkable gift!
No where else will you ever find such great love or compassion.
The very moment you choose to trust completely
in what YAHUSHUA has done you
are instantly set free from the punishment of death for your sin,
and from any guilt before YAHWEH for what you've done.
Remarkable as that may seem to you, it is precisely the message of all of Scripture.
Now, that doesn't mean your body won't die one day.
But it does mean that when you die there is still hope.
YAHWEH has promised that He will raise you up to renewed life at a certain point in time.
And you will be raised up to live eternally (that means forever, time without end)
in His presence - in a place we call Heaven, or Eternity.
In that eternal state there will be nothing left of the consequences of sin.
There will be no pain, sickness, sorrow, crying, sadness, crime, murder, death, etc.
It will be a truly magnificent place.
The crucifixion and death of YAHUSHUA, The Messiah,
is a critical element in your personal salvation, or redemption (ransom),
from the consequences of sin.
Without it you would not have the opportunity nor the means,
to ever be delivered from them.
You would be held captive (as in a kidnapping),
in eternal bondage to sin and its consequences.
Consequently, what follows is very important to you.
It's not pretty. It's not a pleasant thing to consider
when you look at the brutal reality of what YAHUSHUA (Jesus) suffered through
for your sake (literally in your place).
The "cross" is nothing less than a torture stake.
It was among the most cruel means of death devised by human beings.
But it's essential that you understand that He did this for YOU!
In the end, THIS is what the love of YAHWEH is all about!
Here's what His Word says about it:
John 10.11-15: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sake of the sheep. 12 But one who is a hired servant, and not the shepherd, for whom the sheep are not his own, watches the wolf coming. And he leaves the sheep. And he runs away. And the wolf seizes the sheep. And it scatters the sheep. 13 The hired servant runs away because he is a hired servant and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. And I know My sheep. And I am known by My own. 15 Just as The Father knows Me, I also know The Father. And I lay down My life for the sake of the sheep.
John 12.23-24: Then YAHUSHUA responded to them saying,
“The hour has come in order that The Son of Man might be honored.
24 Most assuredly I say to you,
unless a kernel of grain falls into the ground and dies
it remains alone.
But if it dies it produces much grain.
John 19.16-42: Therefore then he delivered Him up to them to be crucified. Then they took YAHUSHUA beside themselves. And they led Him away. 17 And He, carrying His torture stake, went out to a place called The Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, but YAHUSHUA in the middle. 19 Now Pilate also had written a title and had put it upon the torture stake. And the writing was, YAHUSHUA OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE YISRA'ELITES. 20 This title therefore many of the Yisra'elites read because the place where YAHUSHUA was crucified was near the city. And it had been written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore, the chief priests of the Yisra'elites said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Yisra'elites.’ but rather, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Yisra'elites. ’ ” 22 Pilate responded, “What I have written I have written.” 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified YAHUSHUA, took His garments. And they made four portions, to each soldier a portion, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout all of it. 24 They said therefore to each other, “Let us not tear it but instead cast lots for it, whose it will be.” in order that The Scripture might be fulfilled which says, “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” (Ps. 22.18) Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25 Now there was standing by the torture stake of YAHUSHUA His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Miryam Magdalene. 26 YAHUSHUA therefore, having seen His mother and the student whom He loved standing beside, said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the student, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that student took her into his own home. 28 After this YAHUSHUA, understanding that all things were now completed, in order that The Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of vinegar was sitting there. And they filled a sponge with vinegar. And they placed it around hyssop. And they brought it near His mouth. 30 Therefore when YAHUSHUA had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished!” And having bowed His head, He gave up the breath. 31 Therefore because it was the Preparation Day, in order that the bodies might not remain upon the torture stake on The Sabbath (because that Sabbath was a high day), the Yisra’elite leaders asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and they might be taken away. 32 Therefore, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to YAHUSHUA and saw that He was already dead they did not break His legs. 34 However one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear. And immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who was watching closely has given witness and his evidence is truthful. And he understands that he is telling the truth in order that you might believe. 36 Indeed, these things have happened in order that The Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones will be broken.” (Ps. 22.14) 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on Him whom they pierced.” (Zech. 12.10) 38 After this Yoseph of Arimathea, being a student of YAHUSHUA, but secretly because of fear of the Yisra’elite leaders, asked Pilate in order that he might take away the body of YAHUSHUA. And Pilate permitted it. Therefore he came and picked up the body of YAHUSHUA. 39 Then Nicodemus also came who at the first had come to YAHUSHUA by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of YAHUSHUA and bound it in strips of linen with the spices as the custom of the Yisra'elites is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden. And in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 19:42 Therefore, they laid YAHUSHUA there because of the Yisra’elites’ Preparation Day, because the tomb was nearby.
Matthew 27.31-61: And having jeered at Him, they stripped Him. And they put His own clothes on Him. And they led Him away to be crucified. 32 Now as they were coming out they found a person of Cyrene, Shim’on by name. This one they compelled to carry His torture stake. 33 And having come to a place called Golgotha, (that is to say, Place of a Skull) 34 they gave Him vinegar mingled with bile to drink. But having tasted it He would not drink it. 35 Then they crucified Him. And they divided His garments, casting lots, in order that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” (Ps, 22.18) 36 And sitting down, they guarded Him there. 37 And they placed above His head His written accusation: THIS IS YAHUSHUA THE KING OF THE YISRA'ELITES. 38 At that same time two thieves were crucified with Him, one on the right side and another one on the left side. 39 Then those who passed by blasphemed Him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy The Temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are The Son of The Elohim come down from the torture stake.” 41 Now in the same way even the chief priests were jeering with the scribes and the elders saying, 42 “He saved others. He is not able to save Himself. If He is the King of Yisra’el let Him now come down from the torture stake and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in The Elohim. Let Him rescue Him now if He desires Him because He said, ‘I am The Son of The Elohim.’ ” 44 Even the thieves who were crucified with Him taunted Him. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour YAHUSHUA cried out with a loud voice saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My Elohim! My Elohim! Why have You abandoned Me?” 47 Now some standing there, having heard said that this one calls for Elijah! 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed. And he gave Him to drink. 49 The remaining ones said, “Let Him alone! Let us see if Eliyah will come to save Him!” 50 Then YAHUSHUA having cried out again with a loud voice, sent forth the breath. 51 Then behold! The veil of The Temple was split into two parts, from top to bottom. And the earth shook. And the rocks were split. 52 And the graves were opened. And many bodies of the set apart ones who had fallen asleep were raised up. 53 And coming out of the graves they entered into the set apart city. And they appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion and those with him who were guarding YAHUSHUA, having seen the earthquake and the things that had happened, feared greatly saying, “Truly this was The Son of The Elohim!” 55 And many women were there, observing from afar, who accompanied YAHUSHUA from The Galil, ministering to Him. 56 Among them were Miryam Magdalene, Miryam, the mother of Ya'akob and Yoses, and the mother of Zabdiiy’s sons. 57 Now evening having happened a wealthy person came from Arimathea named Yoseph, who himself had also become a student of YAHUSHUA. 58 This man approached Pilate and asked for the body of YAHUSHUA. Then Pilate ordered the body to be delivered to him. 59 And Yoseph having taken the body, wrapped it with a clean linen cloth 60 and placed it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock. And he rolled a large stone against the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Now Miryam Magdalene was there and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Mark 15.20-47: And having jeered at Him they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. 21 And they compelled a certain man, Shim’on, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the field and passing by, to carry His torture stake. And they brought Him to the place, Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 And they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink. But He did not take it. 24 And having crucified Him they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what each one would take. 25 Now it was the third hour when they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His crime was written, THE KING OF THE YISRA'ELITES. 27 With Him they also crucified two thieves, one on His right hand and the other on His left hand. 28 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the violators.” (Is. 53.12) 29 And those passing by blasphemed Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Ah! He who destroys The Temple and builds it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and descend from the torture stake!” 31 Then likewise even the chief priests, jeering at Him, said among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others. Himself He is not able to save. 32 Let The Messiah, The King of Yisra’el, descend now from the torture stake in order that we may see and believe.” And those who were crucified with Him taunted Him. 33 Now the sixth hour having come, there was darkness over the whole land even until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour YAHUSHUA cried out with a loud voice saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My Elohim! My Elohim! Why have You abandoned Me?” 35 And some of those standing by, having listened said, “Behold! He is calling for Eliyah!” 36 Then one ran and filled a sponge with vinegar, also putting it on a reed, and gave it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone! Let us see if Eliyah will come to take Him down.” 37 And YAHUSHUA omitted a loud noise. And He expired. 38 And the veil of The Temple was split in two from top to bottom. 39 Then the centurion who stood by opposite Him, seeing that He cried out like this and expired said, “Truly this person was The Son of YAHWEH!” 40 Now women were also observing from a distance, among whom were Miryam Magdalene, Miryam, the mother of Ya'akob the Less and of Yoses, and Salome, 41 who also accompanied Him and ministered to Him when He was in The Galil, and many other women who came up with Him to Yerushalaim. 42 And having already become evening, because it was the Preparation Day, that is the day before The Special Sabbath, 43 Yoseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who also was waiting for The Kingdom of YAHWEH, came and courageously went in before Pilate and asked for the body of YAHUSHUA. 44 Now Pilate marveled that He was already dead. And summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 And having found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Yoseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, lowered Him down, wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 And Miryam Magdalene and Miryam, the mother of Yoses observed where He was laid.
Luke 23.32-56: 32 Now there were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be lifted up. 33 And having come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then YAHUSHUA said, “Father, forgive them! Indeed, they do not understand what they are doing.” Then they divided His garments, casting lots. 35 And the people stood observing. And even the rulers with them sneered at Him saying, “He saved others. Let Him save Himself if He is The Messiah, The Chosen of YAHWEH.” 36 Then the soldiers also jeered at Him, approaching and offering vinegar to Him, 37 and saying, “If You are The King of the Yisra'elites save Yourself.” 38 Then an inscription also was written above Him in writing of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. “THIS IS THE KING OF THE YISRA'ELITES.” 39 Now one of the criminals, having been hung, blasphemed Him saying, “If You are The Messiah save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other responding admonished him saying, “Do you not even fear YAHWEH, since you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, because we are receiving what is deserving of that which we did. But this one has done not even one thing out of place.” 42 Then he said to YAHUSHUA, “Master, remember me when You have come into Your kingdom.” 43 And YAHUSHUA said to him, “Assuredly I say to you, this day you shall be with Me in Paradise.” 44 Now it was about the sixth hour. And there became darkness over the entire earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was obscured and the veil of The Temple was split in two. 46 And YAHUSHUA having cried out with a loud voice, said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My life.’ ” (Ps. 31.5) And having said this, He expired. 47 Now the centurion, having seen what happened, honored YAHWEH saying, “Truly this was a just human being!” 48 And the whole crowd having come together to that spectacle, seeing what happened, beat their chests as they returned. 49 But all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from The Galil stood at a distance experiencing these things. 50 Now behold! A man named Yoseph, a member of The Sanhedrin, a good man and just, 51 (This one had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a town of the Yisra'elites, who himself was also waiting for The Kingdom of YAHWEH.) 52 approached Pilate asking for the body of YAHUSHUA. 53 And he lowered it, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb hewn out of the rock where as yet no one had ever been laid. 54 And that day was the Preparation. And the Sabbath was beginning to dawn. 55 Now the women also followed closely behind who had come with Him from The Galilee. And they looked closely at the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then having returned, they prepared spices and myrrh. And they rested on The Sabbath according to the teaching.
Please continue your study of The Messiah - Key Events by reviewing the other articles in this series.
The last two in the series are among the most important.
NOTE: These pages are a "work in progress". They're updated fairly often as new information or insights are provided that require a change in what's presented. Please check back regularly to see what may have changed since your last visit. Scripture verses used on the site are from The Aleph-Tav Bible. They're not always presented on these pages in exactly the same format as they occur in the text due to space considerations but the text is the same. Download or print your own copy today.
Personal use is free, but these are not to be used for any commercial purpose. Please contact the site owner if you have an interest in commercial usage.