Resurrection Sunday Post #6 The Solution Once we accept that there are two feasts associated with Passover, and that Jesus celebrated the first and was crucified the day before the second, theres plenty of time between those two feasts for all of the examinations and trials to take place, even allowing time off for observing Sabbaths. This translation assumes that explanation is correct. The bottom line is that Jesus was arrested on the day we consider Good Friday, but that Resurrection Sunday was a week after the traditional Easter. (We might consider letting the pagan world celebrate Easter with bunnies and eggs and such while we Christians celebrate Resurrection Sunday a week later.) But what about the three days and three nights? The day of the week for the start of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread varies from year to year. In 34 AD, Passover (the 14th) came on a Thursday at twilight. During the night (the 15th since it was after sundown) Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover feast and then went to the garden where he was arrested. Taking several days for examinations by the Jews and trials before Roman authorities, Jesus was then finally condemned on Tuesday afternoon (the 19th). He was then crucified on Wednesday (the 20th, a Preparation day for the Passover Sabbath on the 21st). According to the Bible, Jesus died sometime around 3:00 pm, and Joseph of Arimathea went from the cross to Pilate to request Jesus body. Pilate sent a messenger through the crowded streets back to the cross to see if Jesus were already dead, and the Roman commander in charge returned and confirmed the death. With permission from Pilate to take the body, Joseph returned to the cross, gathering burial supplies somewhere along the way. Then he and Nicodemus took the body to Josephs new tomb and buried Jesus there. But with four trips between Pilates headquarters and the cross (two by Joseph and two by Roman soldiers), it had to be very close to sundown before the stone was rolled in front of the door where Jesus body lay. Three days and three nights later wouldve been around sunset on Saturday evening. But doesnt the Bible say that Jesus rose on Sunday morning? Actually, the Bible doesnt say that. It says that the women came to the tomb to anoint Jesus body and found it empty on Sunday morning (Good News 50:13-16). The Bible doesnt say when Jesus rose from the dead. While Matthews account of the Roman guards who were supposed to be guarding Jesus tomb reads almost as if those soldiers were still present when the women arrived, a careful reading will show that Matthew didnt actually say that, and its unreasonable to think that the Roman soldiers standing guard wouldve been frightened away while some Jewish women stood there watching. Its much more reasonable to understand that the agent of God rolled the stone from the door during the dark of night, and that the guards and Jesus were long gone when the women arrived. But isnt that more than three days and three nights from Wednesday just before sundown to just after Saturdays sundown? A little, yes, but Jesus didnt say exactly three days and three nights. This wasnt a technical conversation between scientists. Jesus did say that hed rise after three days (Good News 29:12), and thats exactly what he did. So this translation assumes the following chronology: • Friday, Nisan 15 - Jesus is arrested and questioned by Annas and Caiaphas at their respective homes • Friday & Saturday, Nisan 15 & 16 - No further events due to Sabbaths • Sunday, Nisan 17, just after dawn - the Jewish Supreme Court finds Jesus guilty • Sunday, Nisan 17, still early morning - Jesus delivered to Pilate for a first trial where Pilate learns that hes a Galilean, so Pilate sends him to Herod • Monday, Nisan 18 - Herod questions Jesus extensively and joins his soldiers in mocking Jesus, then sends Jesus back to Pilate • Tuesday, Nisan 19 - Theres an extended trial before Pilate with the final verdict coming in the late afternoon • Wednesday, Nisan 20 - Jesus and two others are crucified about 9:00 am: Jesus dies about 3:00 pm and is buried just before sunset • Thursday, Nisan 21 - early in the morning, the Jewish authorities get Roman soldiers to guard Jesus tomb around the clock • Friday & Saturday, Nisan 22 & 23 - Jesus remains in the tomb • Sunday, Nisan 24, just after Saturdays sundown - Jesus rises from the dead, an agent of God rolls the stone away, and the Roman soldiers flee • Sunday, Nisan 24, about sunrise - women come to the tomb and find it empty If we accept what the Bible says and dont read into the account things that the Bible doesnt say, we can find a solution that works in practically every way. This and other Resurrection Sunday posts are from the Glossary of Good News! The Life & Teachings of Jesus available from amazon/Good-News-Life-Teachings-Jesus-ebook/dp/B00GULW042/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393686467&sr=8-1&keywords=good+news+the+life+and+teachings+of+jesus. To see previous posts, go to NewCenturyMinistries.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 03:12:33 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015