I have, since I was old enough to count and reason, wondered how Jesus could claim He would be in the grave 3 days and 3 nights and we give His crucifixion, burial and resurrection a day and a half and 2 nights, at the most? (Matthew 12:40) Friday at 3 pm until Sunday morning does not equal 3 days and nights-yet all Christian churches celebrate this as if it were gospel.
I read a story as a child called “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” In this story, a deceitful tailor made the emperor some pretend clothes. He convinced the emperor he was actually wearing clothing when he had none on. The emperor, in turn, asked everyone who worked for him how they liked his new wardrobe. No one had the courage to suggest he might be naked, instead of finely attired. Finally, one person had the audacity to tell him he had no clothes on. Everyone else was very relieved to have the truth come out. I suspect that was a difficult charade to keep up. I find the Friday to Sunday story of our Savior’s crucifixion just as crazy.
The real truth is in the Bible. Jesus was the Passover Lamb/Sacrifice for our sins. Those aren’t just words. The “Last Supper” Jesus partook of with His disciples was Passover. The day after Passover is a high Sabbath-the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Jewish leaders did not want His body hanging there the next day after the crucifixion because it was a “Sabbath.” (John 19:31) Most assume this meant a Saturday, but it was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. There were two separate Sabbaths that week-the Feast Sabbath and the regular Sabbath on the 7th day of the week.
The Bible is also unclear, if you really look, on when Jesus actually rose from the grave. The tomb was empty on the first day of the week (Sunday). No one saw him rise. The Bible only clearly states He would be in the grave a full three days and three nights. The Bible tells us his death occurred at 3 pm. To achieve a full 72 hours from a 3 pm death, He most likely was crucified on Wednesday and rose on Saturday (3 pm perhaps?).
Passover is the true holiday God gave us to celebrate. It is one of His feast days, and is rich with the foretelling promise of our Messiah. He never took back that commandment and Easter is nowhere to be found in the Bible. * Easter is a pagan holiday based on the spring equinox. It doesn’t matter that the Christian churches decided to paste Jesus in there. Some churches now say “Resurrection Day” and still have an easter egg hunt. The Bible is full of stories of people mixing God and His commandments with pagan tradition. It doesn’t really even matter how good your intentions are, it is still mixing the Holy with the profane. (Ez 44:23). The Easter bunny laying eggs has no place in the Holy day commemorating the greatest Gift ever given to Humanity.
I spent many years celebrating easter and hiding easter eggs. I am so grateful that God has shown me the Truth. If you have doubts about what you have just read, I encourage you to start your own spiritual journey. Don’t take a journey based on what you have been told. Ask our Lord to open your eyes to read the truth in His word, as if you were reading it for the very first time. You will be amazed!
Please note: Older versions of the King James Bible mistakenly had one reference to “Easter” in Acts 12:4 that should have been translated “Passover” since it was the word “Pesach” . It is my understanding it has been corrected