He Laid Down His Life for Us -- The Just for the Unjust - PART 79

Reflecting once again on the 3 days and 3 nights message, we learn that the scriptures state, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again." So we have established from the scriptures that Jesus was not crucified on a Friday, rising again from the tomb Sunday morning. Further, we also establish that Jesus was not literally 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb. Dake’s annotated reference Bible appears to cling to this interpretation when citing one verse. This verse states, “That as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall also the son of man be three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth.” All the other verses displayed in posting 77 outline that Jesus was to arise on the third day. Paul also, as previously outlined in I Corinthians 15, verse 4 states “that Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again the third day.“

Now if Jesus was three full days and nights in the tomb, then that would make the resurrection occur on the fourth day. If this time line was correct then Jesus' body would have entered the state of corruption. But this is not what the scriptures state. Simply put, no one believes that. The high sabbath sometimes referred to as great Sabbath can occur on different weekdays depending only on the calendar.

Let's review what we've read then. Remember, the Jewish day starts at 6pm and continues through until 6pm. This time frame constitutes one day. Now starting at. 6 pm Wednesday -- being the same night as He was betrayed -- Jesus took the bread and wine and symbolically introduced the New Testament. On the very same day occurred the crucifixion, burial, the woman obtaining burial spices even though they never had to be used. This same day was known as the preparation day terminating at 6 pm. In other words, this represents one complete day.

6pm was the start of Thursday, the Passover day -- or High Sabbath -- or Great Sabbath. This day continued through until the following 6pm -- (one complete day). 6pm Friday -- the beginning of the weekly Sabbath continued through to the following 6pm -- again (one complete day.) 6pm Saturday was the beginning of the third day, which is the first day of the week of Sabbaths. It is on this day - the first day of the week of Sabbaths -- in which Jesus appeared to Mary at the tomb. He said to her, “Touch me not for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go tell my brethren and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God and your God." John 20:17.

The ministry of sacrificial offering was still on going. Jesus, Priestly Order of Melchisedec was now being enacted! Jesus ascends, not empty handed but with the sacrificial offering of Himself as a man. He, being the only begotten son of the Holy Spirit, was the sacrificial offering. God Himself as a son. With that offering God is well pleased which is why we, can now come boldly to the Throne of Grace. The price of our salvation was purchased by God Himself, in that He laid down His life for us. Now therefore, there is no more sacrifice, nor is their any more offering for sin. He died. The just for the unjust.

We arrive now "Toward Even."  6pm which is effectively the closing minutes of the first day of the week of Sabbaths -- the third day then fully complete. This fulfills the 3 days and 3 nights that is so contested but should not be. The scriptures are clear. Minutes before 6pm (EVEN) Jesus walks into the room where His disciples were assembled. When He did, He said unto them, “Touch me. Handle me and See."

Come to the same Jesus, our great high priest and our one true God. Let His presence fill you. He will occupy you and fill your heart with gladness. Only you can draw the bolt to/of your heart’s door to let Him in. Stand in the Offering Plate. May God richly bless you all.