Hebrews 12:2
"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion Who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the Cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s Throne." [Emphasis added]
With the recent Daylight Savings Time that occurred here in the US I was reminded of how during my doctoral studies we learned many aspects of first century Jewish culture. One of those aspects was the determination of time and counting days. One day and night had a distinct designation and any activity within that block of time was counted as the whole day. For example, those that dispute Jesus' Resurrection and accuracy of the Biblical accounts argue that He didn't lay in the tomb for a full 72 hours, i.e. the three days that are the core of Resurrection Sunday/Easter. However, using the aforementioned Jewish method of counting days:
Jesus' death at 3 p.m. on Good Friday counted as the whole first day.
Jesus' entombment all day Saturday counted as the whole second day.
Jesus' Resurrection on Sunday morning counted as the whole third day.
Without getting into the intricate numerical mechanics and counter arguments, I am encouraged to focus on one thing and one thing alone. JESUS GOT UP! While details are important, we shouldn't allow them to distract us from the main, proven thing. Instead of getting bogged down by counting hours, we can bank on the Truth [which by the way is corroborated and confirmed by numerous {some say more than 1000} historical, external non-Biblical texts and sources]. Because Jesus got up and now sits at the right hand of the Father, everything good was released for those that believe and call on His Name for Salvation. Freedom, forgiveness, righteousness and eternal life with Him. So, today, tomorrow, Resurrection Sunday and beyond rest in the finished work of Jesus --> Who got up. As the old hymn says, "He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow ways. He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart. You ask me why I know He lives? He lives within my heart." Thank God Almighty He lives!!!
Takeaways for you to remember.
#1 Jesus' death, burial, Resurrection and ascension unlocked freedom for the Believer and adoption into God's family.
#2 Christians are crucified with Christ and made new creations upon accepting Christ.
#3 God calls Believers His children. Jesus is the firstborn.
Yours in Christ!
Dr. Quahana
Want to enjoy some of the Scriptures inspiring this entry?
[All Scripture listed is NLT version unless otherwise noted.]
References
https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/jesus-in-tomb-for-three-days-nights
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-grave-three-days
Clarke, Adam: "Commentary on the Holy Bible Chapter: Matthew 12:40".
Angus, Joseph, Green, Samuel Gosnell, Ed. The Angus-Green Cyclopedic Handbook of the Bible, page 351. Fleming H. Revell, New York, 1900.
Dummelow, John R., Ed. A commentary on the Holy Bible. [N.P, 1909] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/unk81051279/>.
Weymouth, Richard Francis. The New Testament in Modern Speech: An Idiomatic Translation into Everyday English from the Text of ‘The Resultant Greek Testament’. Edited and partly revised by Ernest Hampden-Cook. London: James Clarke and Co., 1903.
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