Sometimes we hear things or are taught things, and we just accept them as being true. We believe because it's popular or because so-and-so said it, then that's just the way it is, without giving it a second thought. However, many of these things we are led to believe or are taught are myths. This seems to happen with a lot things in the Bible. For instance. The Bible never says there are only three wise men at the birth of Christ. Ever look at a nativity scene? Three wise men. Christmas cards? Three wise men. Tree ornaments? Three wise men. In fact, we are often led to believe that the wise men (3 of them) appeared at the manger with the shepherds. This is also not true. The Bible calls Jesus a "young child" when the wise men appear, and in fact He was probably around two years old.
This post is not about Christmas. It's actually about Easter. Good Friday to be exact. Now, I don't have a problem with Christians celebrating the death and resurrection of Christ. I don't even have a problem with them doing this on a Friday. Without His death and resurrection we have no hope and are of all men most miserable (I Cor. 15:17-19). It's a GOOD thing to celebrate what Christ did for us! His death on the cross brought us salvation. I DO have a problem with them saying they are celebrating Good Friday because that's the day Jesus died. Why? Because Jesus didn't die on Friday.
WHAT!!!!! Of course He did! That's why we have Good Friday. Everyone knows Christ died of Friday. Why else would it be called Good Friday? See, that's what you've been told. That's what I was told for many years too. That's what you've been led to believe. I believed it too. But it's not true.
Think about it. Mark 16:2 says, And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. This verse gives us an exact day and time. The first day of the week is Sunday, and very early in the morning is further specified as "at the rising of the sun." Today the sun rose in Israel at 5:59am (yay for google:). So, it's safe to say that the women came to the tomb around 6:00am. We know when they got there that Jesus had already risen. That means He was out of the tomb before 6:00am on Sunday morning. Now, think about this verse.
Matthew 12:40, For as Jonas 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. (emphasis mine)
Jesus gives a specific prophecy here of how long He would be dead for. Matthew says that Jesus died around the 9th hour, which is 3:00pm. So, if Jesus died at 3:00pm Friday afternoon and rose before 6:00am Sunday...???? Well, you do the math. It doesn't work. There's absolutely NO WAY you can get three days AND three nights out of Friday to Sunday. So, we have a couple of options.
1. Jesus lied about how long He would be dead for.
2. God doesn't know how to count.
3. Jesus didn't die on Friday.
I'm not trying to make light of the Scripture by my sarcasm, but honestly, sometimes we Christians need to give our heads a shake. Saying Jesus died on a Friday makes absolutely no sense. We know Jesus CANNOT lie! It's impossible! He's God and He's perfect! He can count too! Jesus HAD to be in that grave for three days and three nights. And really, you can't much argue with the fact that He rose on Sunday. The Bible is pretty specific in that one too. Jesus said three days and three nights, and He's not going to go back on His Word. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19).
This is one of those things that we've always been told. It's an established tradition. It's been celebrated for thousands of years. However, a Friday crucifixion doesn't add up with Scripture. We need to let the Bible do the talking, and not what people tell us. Jesus' death and resurrection are the very basis of our faith. Let's not distort or detract from this. It's important that we remember what Christ did for us on the cross. Without Him, we have nothing! Because of Him we can shout these words with all our hearts!
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 15:55-57
Good post!
ReplyDeleteWe have a Calvary service on 'good Friday' morning every year, because as our Pastor says, that's the day the world has made a holiday, and most people don't have to go to work, so are able to come. It's another opportunity to share the gospel.
Thanks Deborah :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is a great opportunity to share the gospel, and we should take advantage of those opportunities. I don't actually think there's anything wrong with a "good Friday" service. Only misconception of that being the day of Christ's death.