The Lord’s Prayer – Page 5 – The Lord's Prayer: A Mathematician's Creed

The Lord’s Prayer and the Last Supper are Inextricably Linked

February 4, 2025 Dr Jito Vanualailai

The Last Supper is described in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and briefly referenced in John’s Gospel. The key passages are as follows:

1. Matthew 26:17-30

Preparation for the Passover meal.
Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper: breaking the bread and offering the cup, symbolizing His body and blood.

2. Mark 14:12-26

Similar account as Matthew, including instructions to the disciples for preparing the Passover and the institution of the Eucharist.

3. Luke 22:7-23

Jesus expresses His desire to share this meal before His suffering.
The words of institution highlight the new covenant in His blood.

4. John 13:1-17

Instead of detailing the meal itself, John focuses on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, a demonstration of humility and service.

5. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Paul provides a concise account of the Last Supper, emphasizing its theological significance as a proclamation of the Lord’s death until He comes.

These passages collectively describe the Last Supper’s events and theological meaning, making it central to Christian liturgy and theology.

It is Mark 14:12-36 that provides the mathematical link with the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:2-4. To see this, we note that the Gospel of Mark is the 41st of the Bible. Then the identifiers of the verses in Mark 14:12-36 are 67 to 81, respectively. Hence, the sum of the identifiers is 67+68+69+…+81 = 1110.

The number 1110 is the 923rd composite number. The divisors of 923 are in the set {1, 13, 71, 923}. The sum of the divisors is 1008 = 168 x 6. But 168 is precisely the identifier of Luke 11:2-4, the Lord’s Prayer.

Conclusion. The Lord’s Prayer and the Last Supper are inextricably linked mathematically through the number 168, itself the identifier for the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Luke.

How are they inextricably linked?

The answer to this questions came from the biblical scholar and theologian Ernest Findlay Scott (1868 – 1964), who was “Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology” of the Union Theological Seminary. In his 1951 book “The Lord’s Prayer: Its Character, Purpose and Interpretation”, he wrote:

Two things in our religion have come to us directly from Jesus himself – the Lord’s Supper and the Lord’s Prayer. He bequeathed to them these two ordinances which they were to preserve just as they had come from his hands – the Supper which tells us what he did for us, and the Prayer which sums up what he taught us. These two acts of worship have a place by themselves in our religion, and are like the two poles of which it turns. A Christian service would be complete if it consisted only of an observance of the Supper and a repetition of the Lord’s Prayer. Between them they represent everything that we believe, and they are necessary to each other. We cannot rightly say the Prayer without remembering the Cross, and we cannot celebrate the Supper unless we mean to follow the way of Jesus in our daily lives. In all times, men have been conscious that in these two gifts Jesus gave us everything, and the chief aim of Christian thought has been to discover the full significance of the Lord’s Supper and the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer is a Precise Summary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Mathematical Proof

December 27, 2024December 27, 2024 Dr Jito Vanualailai

Biblical scholars and theologians have long known that the Lord’s Prayer was a precise summary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. See some references in the Scholarly Comments section of this website.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ refers to the good news of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, accomplished through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. It is the proclamation of salvation and eternal life available to all who believe in Him. It can be summarized under the following four categories of messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, as they comprehensively encapsulate the major themes and events central to His mission. Here’s how each category relates to the core message of the Gospel:

Prophecies About Jesus’ Birth:
- These prophecies highlight the miraculous and divine origins of Jesus, emphasizing His identity as the promised Messiah. His birth fulfills God’s promises to bring salvation to humanity, establishing the foundation of the Gospel.
Prophecies About Jesus’ Life and Ministry:
- Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and the way He lived demonstrate the nature of God, His love, and His kingdom. His life provides the model for righteous living and the manifestation of divine power and compassion.
Prophecies About Jesus’ Death:
- The death of Jesus is the climax of the Gospel, showing the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins. This act of atonement is central to Christian belief, as it reconciles humans with God and provides a way for salvation.
Prophecies About Jesus’ Resurrection:
- The resurrection is the triumphant victory over sin and death, proving Jesus’ divinity and ensuring eternal life for believers. It is the cornerstone of Christian hope and the promise of a future resurrection for all who follow Him.

These categories collectively narrate the Gospel story—from the anticipation of the Messiah, His life on earth, the sacrificial death, and His victorious resurrection. They align with the essential message of the Gospel as expressed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Thus, the Gospel can be meaningfully summarized under these four categories.

Mathematically, it is sufficient to show that the total sum of the identifiers of any set of pertinent messianic prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ under the four categories points to the Lord’s Prayer, whose identifier is 168 in the Gospel of Luke and 285 in the Gospel of Matthew.

Accordingly, let us identify the pertinent verses and their identifiers:

1. Prophecies About Jesus’ Birth

Born of a Virgin: Isaiah 7:14 – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Identifier=22.
Born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Identifier=40.
Descendant of Abraham: Genesis 22:18 – “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.” Identifier=41.
From the Line of David: Jeremiah 23:5 – “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch.” Identifier=52.
Herod’s Slaughter of Innocents Foretold: Jeremiah 31:15 – “A voice is heard in Ramah… Rachel weeping for her children.” Identifier=70.
Called Out of Egypt: Hosea 11:1 – “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Identifier=40.

Sum of all identifiers: 22+40+41+52+70+40=265.

2. Prophecies About Jesus’ Life and Ministry

Proceeded by a Messenger (John the Baptist): Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way for the LORD.’” Identifier=66.
A Light to the Gentiles: Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Identifier=34
He Will Teach in Parables: Psalm 78:2 – “I will open my mouth with a parable.” Identifier=99.
Perform Miracles: Isaiah 35:5 – “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” Identifier=63.
Zeal for God’s House: Psalm 69:9 – “Zeal for your house consumes me.” Identifier=97.
The King Comes on a Donkey: Zechariah 9:9 – “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” Identifier=56.

Sum of all the identifiers: 66+34+99+63+97+56=415.

3. Prophecies About Jesus’ Death

Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver: Zechariah 11:12 – “So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.” Identifier=61.
Silent Before His Accusers: Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth.” Identifier=83.
Pierced Hands and Feet: Psalm 22:16 – “They pierce my hands and my feet.” Identifier=57.
Crucified with Criminals: Isaiah 53:12 – “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Identifier=88.
Mocked and Insulted: Psalm 22:7 – “All who see me mock me.” Identifier=48.
Given Vinegar to Drink: Psalm 69:21 – “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” Identifier=109.
His Side Pierced: Zechariah 12:10 – “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” Identifier=60.
Cast Lots for His Clothing: Psalm 22:18 – “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” Identifier=59.

Sum of all identifiers: 61+83+57+88+48+109+60+59=565.

4. Prophecies About Jesus’ Resurrection

Raised on the Third Day: Hosea 6:2 – “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us.” Identifier=36.
Not Abandoned to the Grave: Psalm 16:10 – “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” Identifier=45.
Ascends to Heaven: Psalm 68:18 – “When you ascended on high, you took many captives.” Identifier=105.
Seated at God’s Right Hand: Psalm 110:1 – “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” Identifier=130.

Sum of all the identifiers: 36+45+105+130=316.

Hence, the total of all the sums is 265+415+565+316=1561.

Now, there are 215 sphenic numbers less than or equal to 1561. We can also get 215 if we consider the fact that 1561 is the 1314th composite number and that an approximation of the function Prime Pi evaluated at 1314 is 215.

But the astonishing result is that the Euler Totient function evaluated at 215 is precisely 168, the identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Luke.

Book	Chapter	Verse	Sum
42	11	2	55
42	11	3	56
42	11	4	57
			168

The identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Luke is 168

Conclusion. The Lord’s Prayer is a precise summary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What is Jesus’ Church in Matthew 16:18-19?

November 18, 2024May 10, 2025 Dr Jito Vanualailai

Matthew 16:18-19 states (NKJV):

¹⁸And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

It is clear from verse 19 that Jesus, in giving the “keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter”, approves of Peter in (1) proclaiming the gospel (opening the kingdom to believers), and (2) exercising discipline and judgment (forbidding and permitting practices and teachings).

One of the very first things that Peter taught was the definition of Jesus’ Church, describing it as a community of believers referred to as “living stones” being built into a spiritual house, with Christ as the cornerstone.

The Church as a Spiritual Building (1 Peter 2:4-8)

Peter writes:”As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

Peter emphasizes that Jesus is the “cornerstone” (1 Peter 2:6-8), the foundation upon which the Church is ultimately built.

6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”

8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

The theme of The Church as a Spiritual Building in 1 Peter 2:4-8 aligns closely with Jesus’ teaching to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:21-24. Both passages emphasize the transition from worship tied to physical locations to a spiritual and faith-centered relationship with God.

Key Parallels Between 1 Peter 2:4-8 and John 4:21-24:

Jesus’ Teaching to the Samaritan Woman:
- John 4:21-24:“Believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. … Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
- Theme:
  - Jesus emphasizes that true worship is no longer tied to physical locations (e.g., Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem) but is based on worship “in Spirit and truth.”
  - The focus shifts to a spiritual relationship with God, accessible to all through faith.
Peter’s Description of the Church as a Spiritual House:
- 1 Peter 2:4-8:“… you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
- Theme:
  - Believers are described as “living stones,” forming a “spiritual house” built on Christ, the cornerstone.
  - Worship becomes an offering of spiritual sacrifices, aligning with God’s will rather than physical rituals or temple-based worship.

“My Church”

From Matthew 16:18, it is clear that the expression “my church” is referring to Jesus Christ’s Church. The Greek expression for “Jesus Christ’s Church” is:

ἡ ἐκκλησία τοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
(hē ekklēsia tou Iēsou Christou)

The total value of this expression is 3440, as shown in the table below:

#	Greek	English	Greek Value	Cumulative
1	ἡ (hē)	The	8	8
2	ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia)	Church	294	302
3	τοῦ (tou)	of [the]	770	1072
4	Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)	Jesus	688	1760
5	Χριστοῦ (Christou)	Christ	1680	3440

It is astonishing that the that Carmichael Lambda function evaluated at 3440 is exactly 168, which is the identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Luke. Indeed, the name “Christ” itself carries the number 168, given that the equivalent Greek word, Χριστοῦ, has the value 1680=168 x 10.

The implication is astounding. Jesus Christ named His very own Church after His prayer!

Conclusion: The Church of Jesus Christ, referred to in Matthew 16:18, is the spiritual body of believers (a visible, Spirit-filled community of believers), worshiping the Father in spirit and truth, and united by faith in Jesus Christ through the Lord’s Prayer (and by, extension, the Last Supper).

Psalm 79 and the Lord’s Prayer

July 27, 2024 Dr Jito Vanualailai

The entirety of Psalm 79 astonishingly points to the Lord’s Prayer. Here’s the table for Psalm 79, including the verse enumeration, verse citations, verse texts, identifiers for each verse, and their accumulated sums:

No.	Verse	Text	Identifier	Accumulated Sum
1	Psalm 79:1	O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.	99	99
2	Psalm 79:2	They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.	100	199
3	Psalm 79:3	They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.	101	300
4	Psalm 79:4	We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.	102	402
5	Psalm 79:5	How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?	103	505
6	Psalm 79:6	Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name!	104	609
7	Psalm 79:7	For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.	105	714
8	Psalm 79:8	Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.	106	820
9	Psalm 79:9	Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!	107	927
10	Psalm 79:10	Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes!	108	1035
11	Psalm 79:11	Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!	109	1144
12	Psalm 79:12	Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!	110	1254
13	Psalm 79:13	But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.	111	1365

There are 16 divisors of 1365, namely, {1, 3, 5, 7, 13, 15, 21, 35, 39, 65, 91, 105, 195, 273, 455, 1365}. The sum of the divisors is 2688. Hence, the arithmetic mean of the divisors is 2688/16 = 168. Since 168 is the identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Luke, the themes and moral lessons of Psalm 79 are encapsulated by the Lord’s Prayer.

Discussion

The themes and moral lessons of Psalm 79 center on the relationship between the community and God during times of extreme adversity. They teach the importance of turning to God in honest lament, seeking justice from a divine perspective, acknowledging communal and ancestral sins, and understanding the broader implications of God’s actions for His global reputation. Additionally, they reinforce the value of praising God for His deliverance and faithfulness, emphasizing a stance of gratitude and recognition of God’s mercy. They connect well with several elements of the Lord’s Prayer, offering a deeper understanding of how these scriptures complement each other in the broader context of faith and reliance on God.

Acknowledgment of God’s Sovereignty

Psalm 79. The Psalmist begins by acknowledging the devastation brought upon by foreign nations, yet it is clear that they turn to God as the ultimate authority and deliverer.
Lord’s Prayer. This is echoed in the opening of the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” which recognizes God’s ultimate sovereignty over all things.

Seeking Deliverance and God’s Kingdom

Psalm 79. The Psalm appeals to God for deliverance from enemies and for the manifestation of His justice and mercy, showing reliance on God’s power to save.
Lord’s Prayer. Similarly, the prayer includes “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” seeking God’s righteous rule and divine intervention in the world.

Request for Forgiveness

Psalm 79. The Psalmist pleads for forgiveness for past sins, recognizing that their current plight might be a consequence of these actions. They seek reconciliation and mercy.
Lord’s Prayer. This aspect aligns with “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” emphasizing the need for divine forgiveness and the importance of forgiving others as a reflection of God’s forgiveness.

Protection from Evil

Psalm 79. The psalm ends with a plea for protection and deliverance from the evils that have befallen the people, hoping that God will not let their foes triumph over them permanently.
Lord’s Prayer. This is paralleled in “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,” where there is a petition for guidance away from sin and protection from evil influences.

Call for Justice and Retribution

Psalm 79. The psalm specifically asks for God’s retribution against those who have wronged them, reflecting a desire for divine justice to prevail.
Lord’s Prayer. While the Lord’s Prayer does not explicitly call for retribution, the appeal for God’s kingdom and will implies a restoration of justice according to divine standards.

Conclusion with Praise and Hope

Psalm 79. Despite the lament and pleas for help, the Psalm concludes with a vow to give thanks and praise to God forever, showing trust in God’s faithfulness.
Lord’s Prayer. The prayer also concludes with a doxology in some traditions: “For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” This encapsulates the praise and acknowledgment of God’s eternal sovereignty and power.

Integration

Both Psalm 79 and the Lord’s Prayer encapsulate a profound reliance on God in times of distress, a plea for divine intervention, and an acknowledgment of God’s rule. They collectively teach about the relationship between human vulnerability, divine power, and the role of faith in navigating life’s challenges. Through these prayers, believers are reminded of the importance of turning to God, seeking His justice, and trusting in His eternal goodness and mercy.