The Easter Holiday has just come and gone as I write this article and I was thinking about how many of us are so familiar with tradition that sometimes the obvious just flies right over head. Hang with me here for a moment because I'm gonna cover a couple of thoughts leading up to my main point.
Everyone is familiar with "Good Friday" and "Easter Sunday" (or if you're really an enlightened Christian you'll refer to this day as "Resurrection Sunday"). Most Christians are at least vaguely familiar with the fact that Easter hasn't always been a "Christian" holiday but has pagan origins. We'll leave that detail aside for now as it doesn't have a lot to do with the perspective I am going to share here (and, besides, that topic has already been handled more adequately on other websites and books than I am even able to touch). Let's start with a couple familiar passages of Scripture where Jesus lets his followers know some details about his death and resurrection as it will occur:
Matthew 12:40 - "For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights."
Matthew 20:18-19 - "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"
This event (specifically noting the time table) is reiterated by the apostles in the New Testament after His death and resurrection (and is a significant detail that rests at the heart of the Gospel message):
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that 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.
I am reminded of an old song by the Christian artist, Carman, where he sings, "It may seem like Friday night, but Sunday's on the way." The point of the song is well-taken, but the logicality of this statement (when compared with, not just Scripture, but plain ol' common sense) is obviously out of whack, don't you think? Let's see... Friday night to Sunday morning (the traditional "Easter" doctrine)... If I use the available fingers on either hand (and the widely popular 24 hour time system that most of us are familiar with), I come up with a sum total of a day and a half! I must have added something wrong... Let me take a quick look at my calendar instead.... Hmmm... It says "Good Friday" is on, well, Friday... and Easter is on... look at that... Sunday morning. Ok, at best, that's two days (and two nights), but the Scripture says THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS, not a day and a half... not two days... not two days and half of a third. Clearly, something doesn't add up. Either Jesus did not die on "Good Friday" and He did not rise from the dead on "Easter Sunday" or the Bible is telling us lies. I know I'll be called crazy for going against tradition here, but I'm gonna go with the Bible on this one... and that seems to plainly suggest that (if we assume He arose on Sunday morning) Jesus could not have died on Friday nor could He have risen on Sunday (that is, if we assume He was buried in the tomb on Friday). SO WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ANYWAY?
To answer this, I am first going to share a brief article by an unknown author, which is just brilliantly stated. I will resume my commentary following this article... Enjoy!
Matthew, in the twelfth chapter of his Gospel and the fortieth verse, reports Jesus as saying: "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale ("Sea monster," R. V. margin), so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." According to the commonly accepted tradition of the church Jesus was crucified on Friday, dying at 3 P.M., or somewhere between 3 P.M. and sundown, and was raised from the dead very early in the morning of the following Sunday. Many readers of the Bible are puzzled to know how the interval between late Friday afternoon and early Sunday morning can be figured out to be three days and three nights. It seems rather to be two nights, one day, and a very small portion of another day.
The solution of this apparent difficulty proposed by many commentators is that "a day and a night" is simply another way of saying "a day," and that the ancient Jews reckoned a fraction of a day as a whole day, so they say there was a part of Friday (a very small part), or a day and a night; all of Saturday, another day, or a day and a night; part of Sunday (a very small part), another day, or a day and a night.
There are many persons whom this solution does not altogether satisfy, and the writer is free to confess it does not satisfy him at all. It seems to him to be a makeshift, and a very weak makeshift.
Is there any solution that is altogether satisfactory? There is.
The first fact to be noticed in the proper solution is that the Bible nowhere says or implies that Jesus was crucified and died on Friday. It is said that Jesus was crucified on "the day before the Sabbath" (Mark 15:42). As the Jewish weekly Sabbath came on Saturday, beginning at sunset the evening before, the conclusion is naturally drawn that as Jesus was crucified on the day before the Sabbath, He must have been crucified on Friday. But it is a well-known fact, to which the Bible bears abundant testimony, that the Jews had other Sabbaths beside the weekly Sabbath which fell on Saturday. The first day of the Passover week, no matter upon what day of the week it came, was always a Sabbath (Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:7; Numbers 28:16-18). The question therefore arises whether the Sabbath that followed Christ's crucifixion was on the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) or the Passover Sabbath, falling on the 15th of Nisan, which came that year on Thursday.2 Now the Bible does not leave us to speculate in regard to which Sabbath is meant in this instance, for John tells us in so many words, in John 19:14, that the day on which Jesus was tried and crucified was "the preparation of the Passover", that is, it was not the day before the weekly Sabbath (Friday) but it was the day before the Passover Sabbath, which came that year on Thursday. That is to say, the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified was Wednesday. John makes this as clear as day.
The gospel of John was written later than the other Gospels, and scholars have for a long time noticed that in various places there was an evident intention to correct false impressions that one might get from reading the other Gospels. One of these false impressions was that Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples at the regular time of the Passover.3 To correct this false impression John clearly states that He ate it the evening before, and that He Himself died on the cross at the very moment the Passover lambs were being slain "between the two evenings" on the 14th Nisan (Exodus 12:6, Hebrew and R. V. margin). God's real Pascal Lamb, Jesus, of whom all other Pascal lambs offered through the centuries were only types, was therefore slain at the very time appointed of God.
Everything about the Passover lamb was fulfilled in Jesus. (1) He was a lamb without blemish and without spot (Exodus 12:5). (2) He was chosen on the 10th day of Nisan (Exodus 12:3), for it was on the tenth day of the month, the preceding Saturday, that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was made, since they came from Jericho to Bethany six days before the Passover (John 12:1-- that would be six days before Thursday, which would be Friday), and it was on the next day that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was made (John 12:12 and following verses), that is, on Saturday, the 10th Nisan. It was also on this same day that Judas went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11). As it was after the supper in the house of Simon the leper, and as the supper occurred late on Friday, that is, after sunset, or early on Saturday, after the supper would necessarily be on the 10th of Nisan. Further more, they put the exact value on the lamb that Old Testament prophecy predicted (Matthew 26:15, compare Zechariah 11:12). (3) Not a bone of Him was broken when He was killed (John 19:36, compare Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20). (4) And He was killed on the 14th Nisan between the evenings, just before the beginning of the 15th Nisan at sundown (Exodus 12:6, R. V. margin).
If we take just exactly what the Bible says, viz., that Jesus was slain before the Passover Sabbath, the type is marvelously fulfilled in every detail, but if we accept the traditional theory that Jesus was crucified on Friday, the type fails at many points.
Furthermore, if we accept the traditional view that Jesus was crucified on Friday and ate the Passover on the regular day of the Passover, then the journey from Jericho to Bethany, which occurred six days before the Passover (John 12:1) would fall on a Saturday, that is, the Jewish Sabbath. Such a journey on the Jewish Sabbath would be contrary to Jewish law. Of course it was impossible for Jesus to take such a journey on the Jewish Sabbath. In reality, His triumphal entry into Jerusalem was on the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday. This was altogether possible, for the Bible elsewhere tells us that Bethany was a Sabbath day's journey from Jerusalem (Acts 1:12; compare Luke 24:50).
Furthermore, it has been figured out by the astronomers that in the year 30 A. D., which is the commonly accepted year of the crucifixion of our Lord, the Passover was kept on Thursday, April 6th, the moon being full that day. The chronologists who have supposed that the crucifixion took place on Friday have been greatly perplexed by this fact that in the year 30 A. D., the Passover occurred on Thursday. One writer in seeking a solution of the difficulty suggests that the crucifixion may have been in the year 33 A. D., for although the full moon was on a Thursday that year also, yet it was within two and half hours of Friday, he thinks that perhaps the Jews may have kept it that day. But when we accept exactly what the Bible says, namely, that Jesus was not crucified on the Passover day but on "the preparation of the Passover," and that He was to be three days and three nights in the grave, and as "the preparation of the Passover" that year would be Wednesday and His resurrection early on the first day of the week, this allows exactly three days and three nights in the grave.
To sum it all up, Jesus died about sunset on Wednesday. Seventy-two hours later, exactly three days and three nights, at the beginning of the first day of the week (Saturday at sunset), He arose again from the grave. When the women visited the tomb just before dawn the next morning, they found the grave already empty.4 So we are not driven to any such makeshift as that any small portion of a day is reckoned as a whole day and night, but we find that the statement of Jesus was literally true. Three days and three nights His body was dead and lay in the sepulchre. While His body lay dead, He Himself being quickened in the spirit (1 Peter 3:18) went into the heart of the earth and preached unto the spirits which were in prison (1 Peter 3:19).
This supposed difficulty solves itself, as do so many other difficulties in the Bible, when we take the Bible as meaning exactly what it says.
It is sometimes objected against the view here advanced that the two on the way to Emmaus early on the first day on the week (that is, Sunday) said to Jesus in speaking of the crucifixion and events accompanying it: "Besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21), and it is said that if the crucifixion took place on Wednesday, Sunday would be the fourth day since these things were done. But the answer is very simple. These things were done just as Thursday was beginning at sunset on Wednesday. They were therefore completed on Thursday, and the first day since Thursday would be Friday, the second day since Thursday would be Saturday, and the "third day since" Thursday would be Sunday, the first day of the week. So the supposed objection in reality supports the theory. On the other hand, if the crucifixion tool place on Friday, by no manner of reckoning could Sunday be made the "third day since" these things were done.
There are many passages in scripture that support the theory advanced above and make it necessary to believe that Jesus died late on Wednesday. Some of them are as follows: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days" (Matthew 26:61). "Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save Thyself" (Matthew 27:40). "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again" (Matthew 27:63). "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31). "They shall kill Him, and when He is killed, after three days He shall rise again: (Mark 9:31, R. V.). "They shall scourge Him, and shall kill Him, and after three days He shall rise again" (Mark 10:34, R.V.). "Destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands" (Mark 14:58, R. V.). "Ah thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save Thyself!" (Mark 15:29). "Besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21). "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? But He spake of the temple of His body. When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said" (John 2:19-22).
There is absolutely nothing in favor of Friday crucifixion, but everything in the Scripture is perfectly harmonized by Wednesday crucifixion. It is remarkable how many prophetical and typical passages of the Old Testament are fulfilled and how many seeming discrepancies in the Gospel narratives are straightened out when we once come to understand that Jesus died on Wednesday and not on Friday.
FOOTNOTES:
1 - From the chapter of the same title in the book, Difficulties in the Bible, by R. A. Torrey, published by Moody Press. Copyright 1907 by Fleming H. Revell Co., now in the public domain. Footnotes included here were not part of the original article, provided by A. Brouillette. (Revised 4/9/2003)
2 - The other Gospels also support the assertion that Jesus died on the day of the preparation of the Passover: Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:42.
3 - The other gospels all state that Jesus died on the day of the preparation of the Passover, yet contain references to the disciples preparing their passover on the "first day of the unleavened" (Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7). Since the Jewish day began at sundown, the day of the preparation would have begun at sundown Tuesday and ended at sundown Wednesday. Apparently, the disciples prepared and ate their Passover early, on Tuesday night. It is interesting to note that the Gospels take special care to mention the preparation of the Passover by the disciples, perhaps because it was prepared and eaten before the ordinary time. Also, Jesus made the particular comment that he fervently desired to eat this passover with the disciples before He suffered (Luke 22:15). Was He explaining to the disciples why they were eating the Passover early?
4 - It appears that Mary actually came to the tomb thrice: once, when it was still dark (John 20:1), at which time she saw the stone moved, and the empty tomb, and then went to tell Peter and John; a second time, when Peter and John ran to see the tomb, then left Mary there, weeping (John 20:11); and then again, at sunrise (Mark 16:1,2), when she returned, perhaps catching up with the other women who had not yet heard the news. Mary was the first to see Jesus, which was during her second trip to the tomb (John 20:14-17), but could not touch Him at this time for He had not yet ascended. Perhaps, she did not recognize Jesus at first because it was still dark. On her third trip to the tomb, at sunrise with the other women, an angel confirmed Mary's testimony, and gave them directions to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. As they ran to tell their news, Jesus met them (Matthew 28:9), and now Mary and the others were able to touch Him.
How is that for a bit of a mind-blower? Interesting to say the least, wouldn't you agree? It would certainly appear that our traditions have led us astray on the most important happening in history... but I wonder if there is another truth (i.e. an analogy of sorts) to be drawn from this event... In fact, that's really why I brought all of this up... It's not so much that I think it matters all that much what day a person chooses to celebrate the Lord's resurrection (or even whether or not they choose to formally celebrate it at all), and it's not that I'm concerned that Easter egg hunts are getting more press than Jesus or that paganism is the source of so-called Christians holidays, and it's not so much that I think it's all that important to know the precise day Jesus gave His life or the exact moment He rose from the dead. But I do find it interesting how the wise inventive explanations of man, which sometimes are so far-fetched from actual logical sensability, end up becoming religious icons of sorts (cherished and revered traditions) - to the point where they are just accepted and never questioned.
The first time I mentioned to a friend (just for the sake of discussion mind you) the notion that Jesus, most likely, did not die on Friday or rise on Sunday they laughed at me as if I was the crazy one. It's become that ingrained in our heads...
But my point extends beyond Easter, for certainly this is not the only tradition that holds virtualy no biblical weight. There are many other traditions so many Christians hold dear, but which have no real foundation in Scripture. They may use Scripture passages as "proof-texts" but the results are manipulated by a dismissal of proper context and definition. Many Christians have been influenced by this kind of eisogesis; where religious thinkers force their concepts (which are tainted by their own religious agendas and opinion) into the text rather than simply drawing meaning out of it (the way the authors simply presented it).
The whole modern concept of "church" is one glaring example. Christians have placed this thing called "church" at the center of their very existence. In fact, often times, their very lives are built around it. Yet the Bible never once speaks of starting one, building one, or attending one! In fact, if someone spends enough effort studying the matter, they will discover that the word "church" did not and does not even exist in the original Greek text of Scripture, but was added later by translators and purposely manipulated to justify an emphasis on religious edifices. William Tyndale (who published the first English Bible) even left the word "church" out of his translation because it did not reflect the proper meaning of the Greek word "ecclesia", which actually refers to a people who have been called out of the world and into the family/congregation of God (thus his choice to use the word "congregation" in place of church). Tyndale - whose heart was to magnify the truth, glorify Jesus Christ, and put the Scriptures back into the hands of common folk - was reviled against... primarily by religious authorities. In fact, they were so offended at his work that they confiscated his books, destroyed them, and then burned him at the stake!
Many times Christians come to similar conclusions about things like the definition of "church" because it's become a part of established tradition for more than 1,700 years. And, usually, the mere mention that "church" (as it is commonly understood) might be unbiblical and irrelevant in terms of necessity for spiritual growth is met with even more intense opposition than a subject like what day Jesus rose from the dead.
We could throw other long-held religious traditions into this mix as well; such as monetary tithing, the office of senior pastor, worship leaders, denominationalism, and even water baptism. I can already feel some of you squirming at the very mention of such things. I'm sure some of you will write me and ask, "What do you mean by water baptism not being required?" or "What you mean tithing's not biblical?" The devil is in the details as they say. There can be no doubt that our religious traditions have, many times, twisted our understanding of these things against the way the Bible actually portrays them. If you're interested in subjects like this, may I invite you to check out some of the articles available on my primary website: http://truthforfree.com. But be fair warned that, often times, even just questioning these kinds of things can land you in hot water with religious traditionalists who don't like having their long-held doctrines shaken. But for all those who are genuinely interested in truth, shaking can only cause that which is false to be exposed so that such things which are true will become even more plainly evident.
Hebrews 12:27-29 - Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
Don't be too alarmed that I mention these things (such as tithing, church, the office of the pastor, keeping holy days, etc.), especially if you are one that believes they are important to practice. My intention is not to offend you or rattle anyone's faith or even to suggest that things like attending churches, giving tithes, or sending your kids to Sunday school is somehow sinful (unless the Lord convicts you that you do not need them and then you hang on regardless of His instruction). By all means, follow Christ! Certainly these things may hold meaning for some at various stages of their walk with God (just as they did for me at one time) and even if some level of ignorance exists among those who engage in these things, it matters little at present so long as the heart is pure and truly fixed on knowing Jesus. Some of these activities, despite their lack of origin in the Scriptures, may contain elements of beneficial truth, encouragement, or genuine Bible-centered education. The Lord is certainly able to forgive our stumbling, work correction and heal us of our misconceptions as well as free us from the legalisms we sometimes tie ourselves up with. He works continually for our good day by day, as we submit ourselves to His instruction. I hope you will just accept this encouragement: to stay pliable in His hands, open to instruction by His Spirit, and maintain a readiness to leave behind whatever things he quickens your conscience about.
I share this encouragement for those who may already be struggling with these perspectives on Christianity that I am sharing. If that describes you, you might want to just leave it at that and not read any further. Some folks will have no problem understanding the analogies I make in the next few paragraphs and so I write this for their benefit, but if this article already is troubling you, please don't read any further. Be blessed in God and just continue to seek His heart with all your might. May God's love keep you and His wisdom guide you as you move closer and closer to His heart. I pray this for all of us... and certainly for myself as well.
Now, getting back to the Easter topic for just a moment (for anyone who is still awake), isn't it interesting that, pretty much, the whole religious world celebrates Easter on a Sunday morning? In fact, Easter Sunday is also one of the most highly attended church services of the year... and yet the Bible itself seems to indicate that Jesus did not even rise on Sunday! So, what happened on Sunday morning? Well, some really nice folks (who very much believed in the real Jesus) attended a little structure (a tomb), with full intention to anoint a dead body. Hmmm... Maybe Sunday is as good a day as any to attend church? After all, it wouldn't be the first time that people gathered where it was believed that four walls were thought to hold the body of Christ!
Oh dear, did I just say that? (the rest of you who know what I'm getting at are like, "High five dude!" haha). I've often heard Christians say upon coming out of the church system, "Church just seemed so dead to me." Now that I think about, it makes sense. Tombs are intended to hold dead things. These followers of Jesus in Scripture certainly believed in Him. They believed He was the Messiah. They believed He was God robed in human flesh. They believed in His power, His authority, His message... (and I'm sure in His long hair and neatly groomed beard and mustache too)... Yet, on the most important day of all, they came to anoint a dead body. They were not really expecting a risen Lord, even though He told them this would happen. EVEN THOUGH THEY REMEMBERED THAT HE SAID THIS! Are you catching my analogy? Doesn't it strike you a little curious that "church day" (Easter and beyond) is, in a sense, "tomb visiting Sunday" for almost the entire Christian world? They often act like He's still "in there". One of their biggest slogans is W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do); which is the way people talk about someone who isn't there to show them Himself (such as a dead person who is fondly remembered)! They come hoping to see "the body" anointed, but they don't really expect it to live outside the walls. They have simply entombed the Lord again! How tragic!
The good news is that we see an exodus of sorts happening today... where literally millioins of people are coming out of that tomb because they have discovered that He really is not there. I am reminded again of the Bible account and what the two men standing near the tomb said to the women as they approached. O that their message would ring into the ears of blinded Christians everywhere today:
Luke 24:3-8 - Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" And they remembered His words.
PRAISE GOD!!! They remembered His words! Would to God that believers in Jesus today would remember His words! Can you remember some of those words? Can you recall even the very analogy Jesus Himself used regarding His death and resurrection?
John 2:19 - Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
Imagine the offensiveness of such a statement to the religious of Jesus' day. The Temple was their primary holy place. It housed (so they thought) the very presence of God. So much reverence these people had for their system of worship, but you can imagine how it offended them when Jesus also told them:
Matthew 23:38 - "And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate."
Wow! EMPTY? DESOLATE? Sounds like Jesus has absolutely no regard for their holy place anymore. He knew that He was the One come to fulfill all things in Himself. Every type and shadow up to this moment all focused on HIM alone! The Scripture never says that attending church is the hope of glory. No! It says something far more significant:
Colossians 1:26-27 - This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to his own holy people. For it has pleased God to tell his people that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. For this is the secret: CHRIST LIVES IN YOU, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory.
But isn't it interesting that, after Christ had risen, even when they went inside the tomb and did not find Him there, they could not simply conclude that there was no reason for Him to be there at all... but it says that they were greatly perplexed. How many of us, when our eyes began to open to this same revelation, we were greatly perplexed? And even others who observe our testimony, they too are often greatly perplexed. Notice what the others thought of the women when they returned after visiting the tomb and boldly declared, "HE IS NOT THERE!"
Luke 24:9-11 - So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples-and everyone else-what had happened. The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others. They told the apostles what had happened, but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe it.
Even when Jesus appeared to the disciples Himself, they didn't even know it was Him and they gave this testimony:
Luke 24:22-26 - "Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
Mark 16:14 - Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Isn't it much the same today for those of us who have "seen" the Lord, risen in glory? We have a revelation that is so exciting and true that we want others to believe our testimony; that Christ does not lie dead in a tomb on Sunday morning (while we come to show off our "anointings"). He is alive!
Of course not every group that may gather in a building should be automatically regarded as ignorant, and that is not the point. But this revelation runs deep! If Christ really finds His home within our hearts, then of what significance is any other form of "home" that He might dwell in? No church building could ever be "the House of the Lord" for such is but an image made with hands and, if we are not careful, such things can ammount to idolatry! We live in HIM and have our being in HIM. And we are drawn together by ONE Holy Spirit into ONE Family of brothers and sisters. There are not many bodies of Christ - there is only ONE! The building then is nothing.... the holy days, insignificant.... the little religious practices we often deem so important.... expired and unprofitable. Though, for many, these things are still intimately tied to their understanding of what it means to be a Christian and such revelation may actually strike as offensive and hard to grasp. That's ok. The Lord loves us all and is leading us, step by step, to higher places in Him. I am still on the path myself and I know there is much ahead that I have not grasped either. But it's good to be free and to walk with others on this journey, though many of us are at different places... still we walk together in HIM. As long a Christ remains central, the details will work themselves out.
Just some ranting thoughts I had today... Probably not too profound, but then, it would be great to hear some of your responses and thoughts - whether in agreement or contrast.
In His grip,
Dave
Everyone is familiar with "Good Friday" and "Easter Sunday" (or if you're really an enlightened Christian you'll refer to this day as "Resurrection Sunday"). Most Christians are at least vaguely familiar with the fact that Easter hasn't always been a "Christian" holiday but has pagan origins. We'll leave that detail aside for now as it doesn't have a lot to do with the perspective I am going to share here (and, besides, that topic has already been handled more adequately on other websites and books than I am even able to touch). Let's start with a couple familiar passages of Scripture where Jesus lets his followers know some details about his death and resurrection as it will occur:
Matthew 12:40 - "For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights."
Matthew 20:18-19 - "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"
This event (specifically noting the time table) is reiterated by the apostles in the New Testament after His death and resurrection (and is a significant detail that rests at the heart of the Gospel message):
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that 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.
I am reminded of an old song by the Christian artist, Carman, where he sings, "It may seem like Friday night, but Sunday's on the way." The point of the song is well-taken, but the logicality of this statement (when compared with, not just Scripture, but plain ol' common sense) is obviously out of whack, don't you think? Let's see... Friday night to Sunday morning (the traditional "Easter" doctrine)... If I use the available fingers on either hand (and the widely popular 24 hour time system that most of us are familiar with), I come up with a sum total of a day and a half! I must have added something wrong... Let me take a quick look at my calendar instead.... Hmmm... It says "Good Friday" is on, well, Friday... and Easter is on... look at that... Sunday morning. Ok, at best, that's two days (and two nights), but the Scripture says THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS, not a day and a half... not two days... not two days and half of a third. Clearly, something doesn't add up. Either Jesus did not die on "Good Friday" and He did not rise from the dead on "Easter Sunday" or the Bible is telling us lies. I know I'll be called crazy for going against tradition here, but I'm gonna go with the Bible on this one... and that seems to plainly suggest that (if we assume He arose on Sunday morning) Jesus could not have died on Friday nor could He have risen on Sunday (that is, if we assume He was buried in the tomb on Friday). SO WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ANYWAY?
To answer this, I am first going to share a brief article by an unknown author, which is just brilliantly stated. I will resume my commentary following this article... Enjoy!
--------------------------------------
Was Jesus really three days and three nights in the heart of the Earth?1
Matthew, in the twelfth chapter of his Gospel and the fortieth verse, reports Jesus as saying: "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale ("Sea monster," R. V. margin), so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." According to the commonly accepted tradition of the church Jesus was crucified on Friday, dying at 3 P.M., or somewhere between 3 P.M. and sundown, and was raised from the dead very early in the morning of the following Sunday. Many readers of the Bible are puzzled to know how the interval between late Friday afternoon and early Sunday morning can be figured out to be three days and three nights. It seems rather to be two nights, one day, and a very small portion of another day.
The solution of this apparent difficulty proposed by many commentators is that "a day and a night" is simply another way of saying "a day," and that the ancient Jews reckoned a fraction of a day as a whole day, so they say there was a part of Friday (a very small part), or a day and a night; all of Saturday, another day, or a day and a night; part of Sunday (a very small part), another day, or a day and a night.
There are many persons whom this solution does not altogether satisfy, and the writer is free to confess it does not satisfy him at all. It seems to him to be a makeshift, and a very weak makeshift.
Is there any solution that is altogether satisfactory? There is.
The first fact to be noticed in the proper solution is that the Bible nowhere says or implies that Jesus was crucified and died on Friday. It is said that Jesus was crucified on "the day before the Sabbath" (Mark 15:42). As the Jewish weekly Sabbath came on Saturday, beginning at sunset the evening before, the conclusion is naturally drawn that as Jesus was crucified on the day before the Sabbath, He must have been crucified on Friday. But it is a well-known fact, to which the Bible bears abundant testimony, that the Jews had other Sabbaths beside the weekly Sabbath which fell on Saturday. The first day of the Passover week, no matter upon what day of the week it came, was always a Sabbath (Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:7; Numbers 28:16-18). The question therefore arises whether the Sabbath that followed Christ's crucifixion was on the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) or the Passover Sabbath, falling on the 15th of Nisan, which came that year on Thursday.2 Now the Bible does not leave us to speculate in regard to which Sabbath is meant in this instance, for John tells us in so many words, in John 19:14, that the day on which Jesus was tried and crucified was "the preparation of the Passover", that is, it was not the day before the weekly Sabbath (Friday) but it was the day before the Passover Sabbath, which came that year on Thursday. That is to say, the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified was Wednesday. John makes this as clear as day.
The gospel of John was written later than the other Gospels, and scholars have for a long time noticed that in various places there was an evident intention to correct false impressions that one might get from reading the other Gospels. One of these false impressions was that Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples at the regular time of the Passover.3 To correct this false impression John clearly states that He ate it the evening before, and that He Himself died on the cross at the very moment the Passover lambs were being slain "between the two evenings" on the 14th Nisan (Exodus 12:6, Hebrew and R. V. margin). God's real Pascal Lamb, Jesus, of whom all other Pascal lambs offered through the centuries were only types, was therefore slain at the very time appointed of God.
Everything about the Passover lamb was fulfilled in Jesus. (1) He was a lamb without blemish and without spot (Exodus 12:5). (2) He was chosen on the 10th day of Nisan (Exodus 12:3), for it was on the tenth day of the month, the preceding Saturday, that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was made, since they came from Jericho to Bethany six days before the Passover (John 12:1-- that would be six days before Thursday, which would be Friday), and it was on the next day that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was made (John 12:12 and following verses), that is, on Saturday, the 10th Nisan. It was also on this same day that Judas went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11). As it was after the supper in the house of Simon the leper, and as the supper occurred late on Friday, that is, after sunset, or early on Saturday, after the supper would necessarily be on the 10th of Nisan. Further more, they put the exact value on the lamb that Old Testament prophecy predicted (Matthew 26:15, compare Zechariah 11:12). (3) Not a bone of Him was broken when He was killed (John 19:36, compare Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20). (4) And He was killed on the 14th Nisan between the evenings, just before the beginning of the 15th Nisan at sundown (Exodus 12:6, R. V. margin).
If we take just exactly what the Bible says, viz., that Jesus was slain before the Passover Sabbath, the type is marvelously fulfilled in every detail, but if we accept the traditional theory that Jesus was crucified on Friday, the type fails at many points.
Furthermore, if we accept the traditional view that Jesus was crucified on Friday and ate the Passover on the regular day of the Passover, then the journey from Jericho to Bethany, which occurred six days before the Passover (John 12:1) would fall on a Saturday, that is, the Jewish Sabbath. Such a journey on the Jewish Sabbath would be contrary to Jewish law. Of course it was impossible for Jesus to take such a journey on the Jewish Sabbath. In reality, His triumphal entry into Jerusalem was on the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday. This was altogether possible, for the Bible elsewhere tells us that Bethany was a Sabbath day's journey from Jerusalem (Acts 1:12; compare Luke 24:50).
Furthermore, it has been figured out by the astronomers that in the year 30 A. D., which is the commonly accepted year of the crucifixion of our Lord, the Passover was kept on Thursday, April 6th, the moon being full that day. The chronologists who have supposed that the crucifixion took place on Friday have been greatly perplexed by this fact that in the year 30 A. D., the Passover occurred on Thursday. One writer in seeking a solution of the difficulty suggests that the crucifixion may have been in the year 33 A. D., for although the full moon was on a Thursday that year also, yet it was within two and half hours of Friday, he thinks that perhaps the Jews may have kept it that day. But when we accept exactly what the Bible says, namely, that Jesus was not crucified on the Passover day but on "the preparation of the Passover," and that He was to be three days and three nights in the grave, and as "the preparation of the Passover" that year would be Wednesday and His resurrection early on the first day of the week, this allows exactly three days and three nights in the grave.
To sum it all up, Jesus died about sunset on Wednesday. Seventy-two hours later, exactly three days and three nights, at the beginning of the first day of the week (Saturday at sunset), He arose again from the grave. When the women visited the tomb just before dawn the next morning, they found the grave already empty.4 So we are not driven to any such makeshift as that any small portion of a day is reckoned as a whole day and night, but we find that the statement of Jesus was literally true. Three days and three nights His body was dead and lay in the sepulchre. While His body lay dead, He Himself being quickened in the spirit (1 Peter 3:18) went into the heart of the earth and preached unto the spirits which were in prison (1 Peter 3:19).
This supposed difficulty solves itself, as do so many other difficulties in the Bible, when we take the Bible as meaning exactly what it says.
It is sometimes objected against the view here advanced that the two on the way to Emmaus early on the first day on the week (that is, Sunday) said to Jesus in speaking of the crucifixion and events accompanying it: "Besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21), and it is said that if the crucifixion took place on Wednesday, Sunday would be the fourth day since these things were done. But the answer is very simple. These things were done just as Thursday was beginning at sunset on Wednesday. They were therefore completed on Thursday, and the first day since Thursday would be Friday, the second day since Thursday would be Saturday, and the "third day since" Thursday would be Sunday, the first day of the week. So the supposed objection in reality supports the theory. On the other hand, if the crucifixion tool place on Friday, by no manner of reckoning could Sunday be made the "third day since" these things were done.
There are many passages in scripture that support the theory advanced above and make it necessary to believe that Jesus died late on Wednesday. Some of them are as follows: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days" (Matthew 26:61). "Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save Thyself" (Matthew 27:40). "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again" (Matthew 27:63). "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31). "They shall kill Him, and when He is killed, after three days He shall rise again: (Mark 9:31, R. V.). "They shall scourge Him, and shall kill Him, and after three days He shall rise again" (Mark 10:34, R.V.). "Destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands" (Mark 14:58, R. V.). "Ah thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save Thyself!" (Mark 15:29). "Besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21). "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? But He spake of the temple of His body. When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said" (John 2:19-22).
There is absolutely nothing in favor of Friday crucifixion, but everything in the Scripture is perfectly harmonized by Wednesday crucifixion. It is remarkable how many prophetical and typical passages of the Old Testament are fulfilled and how many seeming discrepancies in the Gospel narratives are straightened out when we once come to understand that Jesus died on Wednesday and not on Friday.
FOOTNOTES:
1 - From the chapter of the same title in the book, Difficulties in the Bible, by R. A. Torrey, published by Moody Press. Copyright 1907 by Fleming H. Revell Co., now in the public domain. Footnotes included here were not part of the original article, provided by A. Brouillette. (Revised 4/9/2003)
2 - The other Gospels also support the assertion that Jesus died on the day of the preparation of the Passover: Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:42.
3 - The other gospels all state that Jesus died on the day of the preparation of the Passover, yet contain references to the disciples preparing their passover on the "first day of the unleavened" (Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7). Since the Jewish day began at sundown, the day of the preparation would have begun at sundown Tuesday and ended at sundown Wednesday. Apparently, the disciples prepared and ate their Passover early, on Tuesday night. It is interesting to note that the Gospels take special care to mention the preparation of the Passover by the disciples, perhaps because it was prepared and eaten before the ordinary time. Also, Jesus made the particular comment that he fervently desired to eat this passover with the disciples before He suffered (Luke 22:15). Was He explaining to the disciples why they were eating the Passover early?
4 - It appears that Mary actually came to the tomb thrice: once, when it was still dark (John 20:1), at which time she saw the stone moved, and the empty tomb, and then went to tell Peter and John; a second time, when Peter and John ran to see the tomb, then left Mary there, weeping (John 20:11); and then again, at sunrise (Mark 16:1,2), when she returned, perhaps catching up with the other women who had not yet heard the news. Mary was the first to see Jesus, which was during her second trip to the tomb (John 20:14-17), but could not touch Him at this time for He had not yet ascended. Perhaps, she did not recognize Jesus at first because it was still dark. On her third trip to the tomb, at sunrise with the other women, an angel confirmed Mary's testimony, and gave them directions to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. As they ran to tell their news, Jesus met them (Matthew 28:9), and now Mary and the others were able to touch Him.
--------------------------------------
How is that for a bit of a mind-blower? Interesting to say the least, wouldn't you agree? It would certainly appear that our traditions have led us astray on the most important happening in history... but I wonder if there is another truth (i.e. an analogy of sorts) to be drawn from this event... In fact, that's really why I brought all of this up... It's not so much that I think it matters all that much what day a person chooses to celebrate the Lord's resurrection (or even whether or not they choose to formally celebrate it at all), and it's not that I'm concerned that Easter egg hunts are getting more press than Jesus or that paganism is the source of so-called Christians holidays, and it's not so much that I think it's all that important to know the precise day Jesus gave His life or the exact moment He rose from the dead. But I do find it interesting how the wise inventive explanations of man, which sometimes are so far-fetched from actual logical sensability, end up becoming religious icons of sorts (cherished and revered traditions) - to the point where they are just accepted and never questioned.
The first time I mentioned to a friend (just for the sake of discussion mind you) the notion that Jesus, most likely, did not die on Friday or rise on Sunday they laughed at me as if I was the crazy one. It's become that ingrained in our heads...
But my point extends beyond Easter, for certainly this is not the only tradition that holds virtualy no biblical weight. There are many other traditions so many Christians hold dear, but which have no real foundation in Scripture. They may use Scripture passages as "proof-texts" but the results are manipulated by a dismissal of proper context and definition. Many Christians have been influenced by this kind of eisogesis; where religious thinkers force their concepts (which are tainted by their own religious agendas and opinion) into the text rather than simply drawing meaning out of it (the way the authors simply presented it).
The whole modern concept of "church" is one glaring example. Christians have placed this thing called "church" at the center of their very existence. In fact, often times, their very lives are built around it. Yet the Bible never once speaks of starting one, building one, or attending one! In fact, if someone spends enough effort studying the matter, they will discover that the word "church" did not and does not even exist in the original Greek text of Scripture, but was added later by translators and purposely manipulated to justify an emphasis on religious edifices. William Tyndale (who published the first English Bible) even left the word "church" out of his translation because it did not reflect the proper meaning of the Greek word "ecclesia", which actually refers to a people who have been called out of the world and into the family/congregation of God (thus his choice to use the word "congregation" in place of church). Tyndale - whose heart was to magnify the truth, glorify Jesus Christ, and put the Scriptures back into the hands of common folk - was reviled against... primarily by religious authorities. In fact, they were so offended at his work that they confiscated his books, destroyed them, and then burned him at the stake!
Many times Christians come to similar conclusions about things like the definition of "church" because it's become a part of established tradition for more than 1,700 years. And, usually, the mere mention that "church" (as it is commonly understood) might be unbiblical and irrelevant in terms of necessity for spiritual growth is met with even more intense opposition than a subject like what day Jesus rose from the dead.
We could throw other long-held religious traditions into this mix as well; such as monetary tithing, the office of senior pastor, worship leaders, denominationalism, and even water baptism. I can already feel some of you squirming at the very mention of such things. I'm sure some of you will write me and ask, "What do you mean by water baptism not being required?" or "What you mean tithing's not biblical?" The devil is in the details as they say. There can be no doubt that our religious traditions have, many times, twisted our understanding of these things against the way the Bible actually portrays them. If you're interested in subjects like this, may I invite you to check out some of the articles available on my primary website: http://truthforfree.com. But be fair warned that, often times, even just questioning these kinds of things can land you in hot water with religious traditionalists who don't like having their long-held doctrines shaken. But for all those who are genuinely interested in truth, shaking can only cause that which is false to be exposed so that such things which are true will become even more plainly evident.
Hebrews 12:27-29 - Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
Don't be too alarmed that I mention these things (such as tithing, church, the office of the pastor, keeping holy days, etc.), especially if you are one that believes they are important to practice. My intention is not to offend you or rattle anyone's faith or even to suggest that things like attending churches, giving tithes, or sending your kids to Sunday school is somehow sinful (unless the Lord convicts you that you do not need them and then you hang on regardless of His instruction). By all means, follow Christ! Certainly these things may hold meaning for some at various stages of their walk with God (just as they did for me at one time) and even if some level of ignorance exists among those who engage in these things, it matters little at present so long as the heart is pure and truly fixed on knowing Jesus. Some of these activities, despite their lack of origin in the Scriptures, may contain elements of beneficial truth, encouragement, or genuine Bible-centered education. The Lord is certainly able to forgive our stumbling, work correction and heal us of our misconceptions as well as free us from the legalisms we sometimes tie ourselves up with. He works continually for our good day by day, as we submit ourselves to His instruction. I hope you will just accept this encouragement: to stay pliable in His hands, open to instruction by His Spirit, and maintain a readiness to leave behind whatever things he quickens your conscience about.
I share this encouragement for those who may already be struggling with these perspectives on Christianity that I am sharing. If that describes you, you might want to just leave it at that and not read any further. Some folks will have no problem understanding the analogies I make in the next few paragraphs and so I write this for their benefit, but if this article already is troubling you, please don't read any further. Be blessed in God and just continue to seek His heart with all your might. May God's love keep you and His wisdom guide you as you move closer and closer to His heart. I pray this for all of us... and certainly for myself as well.
Now, getting back to the Easter topic for just a moment (for anyone who is still awake), isn't it interesting that, pretty much, the whole religious world celebrates Easter on a Sunday morning? In fact, Easter Sunday is also one of the most highly attended church services of the year... and yet the Bible itself seems to indicate that Jesus did not even rise on Sunday! So, what happened on Sunday morning? Well, some really nice folks (who very much believed in the real Jesus) attended a little structure (a tomb), with full intention to anoint a dead body. Hmmm... Maybe Sunday is as good a day as any to attend church? After all, it wouldn't be the first time that people gathered where it was believed that four walls were thought to hold the body of Christ!
Oh dear, did I just say that? (the rest of you who know what I'm getting at are like, "High five dude!" haha). I've often heard Christians say upon coming out of the church system, "Church just seemed so dead to me." Now that I think about, it makes sense. Tombs are intended to hold dead things. These followers of Jesus in Scripture certainly believed in Him. They believed He was the Messiah. They believed He was God robed in human flesh. They believed in His power, His authority, His message... (and I'm sure in His long hair and neatly groomed beard and mustache too)... Yet, on the most important day of all, they came to anoint a dead body. They were not really expecting a risen Lord, even though He told them this would happen. EVEN THOUGH THEY REMEMBERED THAT HE SAID THIS! Are you catching my analogy? Doesn't it strike you a little curious that "church day" (Easter and beyond) is, in a sense, "tomb visiting Sunday" for almost the entire Christian world? They often act like He's still "in there". One of their biggest slogans is W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do); which is the way people talk about someone who isn't there to show them Himself (such as a dead person who is fondly remembered)! They come hoping to see "the body" anointed, but they don't really expect it to live outside the walls. They have simply entombed the Lord again! How tragic!
The good news is that we see an exodus of sorts happening today... where literally millioins of people are coming out of that tomb because they have discovered that He really is not there. I am reminded again of the Bible account and what the two men standing near the tomb said to the women as they approached. O that their message would ring into the ears of blinded Christians everywhere today:
Luke 24:3-8 - Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" And they remembered His words.
PRAISE GOD!!! They remembered His words! Would to God that believers in Jesus today would remember His words! Can you remember some of those words? Can you recall even the very analogy Jesus Himself used regarding His death and resurrection?
John 2:19 - Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
Imagine the offensiveness of such a statement to the religious of Jesus' day. The Temple was their primary holy place. It housed (so they thought) the very presence of God. So much reverence these people had for their system of worship, but you can imagine how it offended them when Jesus also told them:
Matthew 23:38 - "And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate."
Wow! EMPTY? DESOLATE? Sounds like Jesus has absolutely no regard for their holy place anymore. He knew that He was the One come to fulfill all things in Himself. Every type and shadow up to this moment all focused on HIM alone! The Scripture never says that attending church is the hope of glory. No! It says something far more significant:
Colossians 1:26-27 - This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to his own holy people. For it has pleased God to tell his people that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. For this is the secret: CHRIST LIVES IN YOU, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory.
But isn't it interesting that, after Christ had risen, even when they went inside the tomb and did not find Him there, they could not simply conclude that there was no reason for Him to be there at all... but it says that they were greatly perplexed. How many of us, when our eyes began to open to this same revelation, we were greatly perplexed? And even others who observe our testimony, they too are often greatly perplexed. Notice what the others thought of the women when they returned after visiting the tomb and boldly declared, "HE IS NOT THERE!"
Luke 24:9-11 - So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples-and everyone else-what had happened. The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others. They told the apostles what had happened, but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe it.
Even when Jesus appeared to the disciples Himself, they didn't even know it was Him and they gave this testimony:
Luke 24:22-26 - "Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
Mark 16:14 - Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Isn't it much the same today for those of us who have "seen" the Lord, risen in glory? We have a revelation that is so exciting and true that we want others to believe our testimony; that Christ does not lie dead in a tomb on Sunday morning (while we come to show off our "anointings"). He is alive!
Of course not every group that may gather in a building should be automatically regarded as ignorant, and that is not the point. But this revelation runs deep! If Christ really finds His home within our hearts, then of what significance is any other form of "home" that He might dwell in? No church building could ever be "the House of the Lord" for such is but an image made with hands and, if we are not careful, such things can ammount to idolatry! We live in HIM and have our being in HIM. And we are drawn together by ONE Holy Spirit into ONE Family of brothers and sisters. There are not many bodies of Christ - there is only ONE! The building then is nothing.... the holy days, insignificant.... the little religious practices we often deem so important.... expired and unprofitable. Though, for many, these things are still intimately tied to their understanding of what it means to be a Christian and such revelation may actually strike as offensive and hard to grasp. That's ok. The Lord loves us all and is leading us, step by step, to higher places in Him. I am still on the path myself and I know there is much ahead that I have not grasped either. But it's good to be free and to walk with others on this journey, though many of us are at different places... still we walk together in HIM. As long a Christ remains central, the details will work themselves out.
Just some ranting thoughts I had today... Probably not too profound, but then, it would be great to hear some of your responses and thoughts - whether in agreement or contrast.
In His grip,
Dave
One of my favorite works is that of a man by the name of Richard Lenski; a Lutheran theologian from the 1920's who wrote an expansive volume of commentaries on the entire New Testament. Lenski's writings give incredible analysis of verbs, historical background, and syntax. His works are an amazing resource for those of us who don't have the privilege of understanding the complications of the Greek language (that Scripture was written in).
Posts
