WAS PASSOVER ON THURSDAY?

 MYSTERIES OF THE CROSS ~ PART FOUR

ROAD TO EMMAUS

Pastor Dave takes the college group for a walk through the Kidron Valley and finds a place where they can relax.  He says, "When I was on jury duty we heard the prosecution side of the story and because we heard it first, we believed that the man on trial was guilty.  After hearing the man's story, we found him innocent.  It's always good to hear both sides of the story before coming to a conclusion."

Dan speaks, "I think you'll believe in Good Friday, but I want to tell you why I believe the crucifixion was on Thursday."

Pastor Dave asks, "Can somebody tell me what the Sign of Jonah was?"

Debra reads: "An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign; and so no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.  (Matthew 12:38-40   NASB ~ New American Standard Bible)

Dan smirks, "I'll give $20 to the first person who can prove to me there are three days and three nights between Friday and Sunday morning."

Pastor Dave adds, "Do we start counting the three days and three nights from when Jesus' body was place in the tomb?"

Dan replies, "No, what does the scripture say?

Peter says, "Jesus was three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  After Jesus died, His spirit went to the heart of the earth!"

Mary says, Look at the two thieves on the cross." "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”  Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  (Luke 23:39-43  NKJV ~ New King James Version)

Pastor Dave adds, "Do you know the story of Lazurus and the Rich Man?"

Matthew reads; " Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.  And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.  And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.  And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house;  for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead."  (Luke 16:19-31  ASV ~ American Standard Version)

Dan add, "Some people believe that the Paradise Jesus was refering to was Abraham's Bosom, where He spent three days and nights in the heart of the earth.  Jesus wasn't resurrected yet and didn't ascend to His Father in heaven until 10 days before Pentecost."

Peter adds, "Christ also suffered. He died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners although he himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that he might bring us safely home to God. But though his body died, his spirit lived on,  and it was in the spirit that he visited the spirits in prison and preached to them— spirits of those who, long before in the days of Noah, had refused to listen to God, though he waited patiently for them while Noah was building the ark. Yet only eight persons were saved from drowning in that terrible flood."  (1 Peter 3:18-20  TLB ~ The Living Bible)

Pastor Dave speaks, "What about the Sunday conversation on the 7 mile hike to Emmaus?"

Dan smiles, "You know I was going there."

Sally reads: " Now that very day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened.  

While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them  (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him).  Then he said to them, “What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad.  Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?”  He said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people;  and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened.  Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning,  and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.  Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”  (Luke 24:13-24  NET ~ New English Translation)

James speaks, "Cleopas' wife was one of the witnesses at the cross, and resurrection.  She was hiking with her husband to Emmaus."

Dan smiles, "If Sunday is the third day since these things happened, Saturday would be the second day since these happened, and Friday would be the first day since these things happened...it happened on Thursday!"

Pastor Dave concludes, "We have a strong case for Good Friday. But Passover Thursday maybe our best fit for the Sign of Jonah.  Tomorrow we are going to let you come to your own conclusion and do a deep dive into the Mystery of the Cross."