Nougat 17

So many of us believers are caught up with celebrating Easter. I confess that I appreciate the two days off, and that I reflect on Jesus’ death and resurrection during this time; nevertheless, I am encouraging us to rethink the name we use. For starters, consider today’s Holy Nougat

“But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.” “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection was three days. It’s the sign of Jonah. No matter how we justify Friday-Sunday, it is not a three days-three nights solution. I recall using the theory of Friday one day, Saturday another day and then Sunday makes three. While it massages the brain, it certainly is not logical or factual. And I apologize for misleading anyone with that theory.

You might ask, where does that leave us? This is a valid question, especially when we remember Him through the Lord’s Supper as often as we can. I’m proposing that it leaves us confident that Jesus died and after three days, rose triumphantly from death. That is incontestable fact – just as Jesus prophesied in the altercation with the Jewish leadership.

However, we don’t stop there. Rather we research enough to recognize that Jesus was crucified during the Feasts of both Passover and Unleavened Bread. It is so in all four gospels. Even today, these feasts are sabbaths – holy days set aside from the regular routine of work, for worship of YHWH. We also deduce from the nougats last week that the drama began unfolding the first night of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. So operatively Jesus was crucified on day two. Thus Jesus crucifixion occurred some time during the Passover season. We get the general dates right each year, not the days.

When Jesus conquered death, He returned alive on the first day of the week and appeared to several people. Angelic visitation confirmed the resurrection (just like at His birth). We can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection therefore without getting into the hoopla of rabbits and eggs. It may be fun, but it’s not celebrating Jesus’ triumph over death.

So now we know that we know. What will we do with our (new) knowledge?

He lives, He lives

Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me

and talks with me

Along the narrow way

He lives, He lives

Salvation to impart

You ask me how I know He lives,

He lives within my heart

—

May all we seek be found in Christ