Scripture Reading: John 19:30-42.
Memory Verse: “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.” Matthew 12:40.
Article 3. CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ was crucified in the middle of the week, on the day we call Wednesday towards sunset. He remained in the tomb for three days and three nights, and arose towards the sunset of the Sabbath day (Saturday), fulfilling the “sign” given by Himself. (Matthew 12:39 40; 28:1; Luke 23:54)
Introduction:
During Jesus’ ministry the religious leaders continually pressed Him for signs as proof of His Messiahship. Matthew 12:38-40 records one of these incidents. and Jesus’ reply. “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 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. “
Notice that Jesus said that only one sign would be given, i.e., that He would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. His entire claim to being the Messiah rested on that sign. If this sign was not fulfilled then He Is not the true Messiah.
The popular teaching that Jesus was crucified on Friday and resurrected on Sunday morning does not fulfill this sign. The very most we can get from a Friday crucifixion and a Sunday morning resurrection is two full nights, a full day and two very small portions of other days. This is barely over half of the 72 hours required to make up three days and three nights. “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
When we rightly divide the word of truth we find that the day following the Passover was a high Sabbath. This Sabbath can fall on any day of the week. This High Sabbath fell on Thursday the year Jesus was crucified. Some teach that Luke 24:13-21 contradicts a Wednesday crucifixion. However, Dan 9:27 prophecies of a Wednesday crucifixion and Luke 24:13-21 are referring to a conversation on Sunday. When you count three days backwards it would be Thursday, however one must take into account that the day in Biblical times was counted from sunset to sunset (Genesis 1:5) so Thursday would have started on what we would refer to as Wednesday sunset.
Thus, Jesus was crucified on Wednesday and arose late on the Sabbath and perfectly fulfilled the only sign He gave. Once we understand this, all the apparent discrepancies disappear.
Is this really important? It was important enough that Jesus based His entire claim to being the Messiah on this sign, and the significant of us understanding its fulfillment seems obvious.
Lesson Questions:
- What did the scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus to show them? Matthew 12:38-41; 16:1-4
- How did the “sign of the prophet Jonah” prove that Jesus was the Messiah? ; Jonah 1:17; John 2:18-22
- How long did Jesus say He would be “in the heart of the earth”? Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40.
- Does a Friday crucifixion and Sunday morning resurrection provide three days and three nights? John 19:31; 20:1
- What do Scripture’s descriptions of a day and night tell us about the sign of Jonah? Genesis 1:5; Matthew 12:40
- What evidence indicates there were two Sabbaths during the crucifixion week? Leviticus 23:5-7; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:54-56; John 19: 14, 31. [NOTE: Mark records the women purchasing spices after the Sabbath, while Luke records them preparing the spices and then resting on the Sabbath. This chronology supports an annual High Sabbath followed by a preparation day and then the weekly Sabbath.]
- How was a biblical day reckoned, and how does that help us understand Luke 24:21? Genesis 1:5; Leviticus 23:32; Luke 24:13-21
- When the women arrived at the tomb on the first day of the week, had Jesus already risen? Matthew 28:1-6; John 20:1
- Why is the death and resurrection of Jesus essential to our faith? 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 12-17