John 19:31-42, The Day Christ Died (B)

In our previous post we raised some questions.  I have said, over the years, that a Thursday crucifixion makes more sense to me.  But I have come across some good explanations based on a Wednesday crucifixion.  I want to give you the “Wednesday” order of events, mainly because I am thinking you may have not ever seen or considered anything other than crucifixion of Good Friday.

·       Saturday, the 10^th of Nisan (Ex. 12:3-5)

o   This was the day the Passover lamb was to be selected and set aside by each family: according to each man’s need, a lamb without blemish, a male of the first year.

o   On Nisan 10, what happened the day before the Royal Entry into Jerusalem?  Matthew (26:6-13) records that Jesus was anointed for burial.  The Lamb was set aside (1 Pt. 1:19), perfect for each man’s need, without blemish, a male of the first year (i.e. the best)!

·       Wednesday, the 14^th of Nisan (Ex. 12:3-5).

o   The special meal (Mt. 26:1-19).  Perhaps this “clandestine” arrangement indicates Jesus had something in mind that the disciples had not thought about.  Someone else had arranges for the supper.  The disciples thought they were preparing for a meal the following evening, but because Jesus intended to eat with them the night before because He would be put to death the following day.

o   The long night. 

§  After 6PM, the Passover meal was eaten and Judas went to betray Christ.  Jesus continues with the disciples in the Upper Room.  The discourse continues as they head for Gethsemane (Jn. 14:31).  On the way to Gethsemane Jesus prays for them (John 17).  At Gethsemane Jesus prays in agony, and then Judas and the others arrive and Jesus is arrested.

§  Jesus appears before Annas and then Caiaphas (Jewish trials), Peter denies Christ with the rooster crowing near daybreak.  Still before 6AM Jesus is led to Pilate, then briefly to Herod, and then back to Pilate.  After 6AM Jesus is scourged and mistreated.

o   The Passover lamb.  Jesus bears His cross to Golgotha.  By 9AM He is on the cross (Mk. 15:25).  Darkness prevails from noon to 3PM.  Christ then pleads, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”  From 3PM to 5PM, as Passover lambs are being slain in the temple area, our Passover Lamb yielded up His spirit (Mt. 27:50). 

However one sees this issue of “which day,” we cannot avoid the connection between the death of Christ and the Passover celebration in Jerusalem.  The area where He died, which we believe must be in the region of Moriah (Gn. 22:2,14), north of the altar in Jerusalem (Lev. 1:11), would have been jam packed with Passover activity.  The Romans would have been pleased that so many people would have passed by the three crosses that day. 

Think about it. At Passover, outside the camp (the gate, Heb. 13:11-14), our Passover Lamb was dying the perfect, once-for-all price for the sins of the world!  How amazing is that!!!