Good Friday, Passover Sabbath, Resurrection Sunday
These three days, Good Friday, Passover Sabbath, and Resurrection Sunday, highlight the most significant weekend in earth’s history. The biblical gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote about it, and since that time millions of books and articles have been written about it in one form or another. Scholars over the years have debated the nuances and details of the weekend, and even some have twisted the truth for their own benefit. But, what really happened between the tree and the earthquake?
Take the time to read the entire account. However, during this time frame, the basic story is that because it was Passover, the Jewish leaders didn’t want Jesus to be a distraction and wanted him off the cross. Later that day, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, wealthy and influential men who secretly followed Jesus, asked Pilot to take Jesus off the cross and put him in Joseph’s brand new tomb. Passover Sabbath was coming and they wanted to prepare him for burial and lay him in the tomb before sunset. From sunset Friday to sunset Sabbath everything was calm. The soldiers were guarding the tomb, but nothing happened. Then, we all know what happened Sunday morning!
During the calm, however, some say Jesus went to “hades” or “Sheol” which means the place of the dead. They say because of his death he could now rescue people from there who were languishing and tormented. This is illogical to me because the bible says, “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing;” Ecclesiastes 9:5. “The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence [of the grave].” Psalm 115:17 “For the dead [Sheol] cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness.” Isaiah 38:18 There’s much more that could be said about death and hell, but we’ll save that discussion for another time.
My interpretation is that Jesus simply rested, in body, mind, and spirit, on that Passover Sabbath. I believe He wanted to honor in death, as He did in life, the Sabbath that He had created in the Garden of Eden. This moves me greatly because in the midst of 100% hell, Satan’s kingdom that surrounded that tomb, Jesus experienced 100% peace. This is the best news we can have now while living on a planet filled with demonic destruction taking place globally. From the tomb radiates the powerful promise that in the midst of hell on earth, you can have a “peace that surpasses understanding”!! Philippians 4:7
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades [grave], where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 Further more how wonderful that, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11
As you celebrate this very significant weekend, may you experience that amazing peace and life giving power so that you will be blessed and be a blessing In Jesus Name! Go forth bold, blessed, and brilliant. Thank you for sharing, subscribing, and commenting below.