FFeasting at the Festivals of the Old Testament
Leviticus 23
(This is a rather lengthy article. It can be summarized and used as a single study, or longer, if the group desires a more detailed study. It can be used as a series of studies on the various festivals of the Old Testament. This will make an excellent pre-Easter series of studies. Also there are some subtitles that can be used in other studies. This would make an excellent pre-Easter series of studies. This could be divided down into a series of pre-Easter studies which would be very appropriate.)
"It's the morning after Christmas and all through the house
confusion and chaos reign as we try to get back to normalcy
(whatever that is ---)."
We have already accomplished little or nothing toward out regular routines of life, plus we have locked ourselves out of our condo and had to call a neighbor to let us in. We also realized we left one of our gifts with the part of the family we enjoyed celebrating with the last couple of days. We are thankful for cell phones, because we had it with us or we would not have been able to contact our neighbor that he might share his neighborliness with us.
Christmas Eve found us in worship with other members of our family. The beautiful music and decorations lifted our spirits to rejoice as we worshipped "the new born King". Celebrating the Lord's Supper reminded us dramatically of the "reason for the season". Yes, it is important to remember the birth of the King, but we must also remember the true significance that He must first become out Savior before we can recognize Him as "King of Our Lives". The sharing of the bread and cup humbled us to appreciate that the "true meaning of the Christmas season" must also include the promises of Christ's death, burial and resurrection that assure us or our salvation.
Truly, in the spirit of the season, we returned to their home for the traditional oyster stew before opening gifts. However, in recent years, since our son married an FBI (Full Blooded Italian) the Italian tradition, with Lasagna, has been added to our tradition. Lasagna makes an excellent meal with oyster stew. The great-grand-children "weren't hungry" (I wonder why), but they waited impatiently. Immediately after our traditional Christmas Eve meal the wrapping paper flew as great-grand-children opened their gifts. Squeals of joy and excitement filled the air with "O! It's just what I wanted". Visiting, conversation and reminiscing filled the evening; then to bed.
Christmas Morning, pancakes, quiche, coffee with all the side dishes announced that "Breakfast was ready". Then the parents, grandparents and great grandparents enjoyed a leisurely opening of the gifts. The great grand children were still present, just in case they missed some gifts the evening before. More exclamations of appreciation were expressed. Dinner followed with more lasagna, ham and all the extras including tasty and filling desserts. Then came a time of sharing around the dinner table. Each of us had been given the name of one of the family members. We were to share a good word, thoughts and appreciation, concerning the individual whose name had been given.
A leisurely afternoon with conversations of family, God's love, football and, O, yes, always the side bar of all the delicacies, chocolate, mint, chocolate, breads, etc, etc, etc, and O, yes, did I mention chocolates?
Then came supper (dinner) time. No one was hungry, but we all managed to eat more sandwiches and the best of the leftovers. Then more relaxation, conversations and games before home and bed.
What has been repeated over and over again time after time in this moment of reminiscing? Certainly we rejoiced in God's love, grace, mercy, but food, food, food and more food and this was always surrounded by conversation. Our Lord knows we enjoy good food. Often traditional foods are reserved for just such occasions. Is it any wonder that our loving Lord included special foods when He called His people together for fellowship and worship? But have you ever noticed that the conversation continues long after the food is gone and forgotten. The truth is the conversation and fellowship are far more important than the food, no matter how delicious it was.
In this study I would like to share with you thoughts on "Feasting with Jesus". We will study together special spiritual feasts recorded in the Old Testament. These all relate to our Lord's suffering, death and resurrection. We will look at the Old Testament origin and observance of these feasts as they relate to Christ, and if time permits, we will see the feasts that preview our eternal walk with Christ. Though not quoting from him directly, I will include much from Merrill F. Unger's "Unger's Bible Dictionary" for some of my thoughts.
The festivals are seven Holy Days observed by the Jewish nation. Under God's instructions these are summarized in Leviticus 23; then we will turn elsewhere to see the details of each of the observances. The first four feasts relate to the suffering, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. The last three relate to our spiritual walk and maturity through walking with the resurrected Christ.
Prepare, through prayer for God's guidance, for a spiritual "Feasting with Jesus". Observe how perfectly God chose to picture the eternal ministry of His Son through the festivals He gave the Israelites. These are in fulfillment of Paul's statement in (1 Corinthians 10:11) "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom, the ends of the [ages] are come." Please notice the word "ensamples" is used. This word is stronger than simply a picture of certain future events. The word ensample is more of a term used in smelting and die casting of exact replicas. As the first "proof coin" coming out of the cast bears the exact perfect smooth finish of the inside of the die so these festival "ensamples" portray perfect types of our Lord and His ministry. One will also notice they have a soft satin finish, contrary to other die cast coins, which reveals it as a perfect replica. To know whether an incident in the New Testament is an "ensample" or an "example" follow this test. If an Old Testament event is mentioned in the New Testament it is an "ensample"; if not it is an "example"; it is a picture, but not a type in its every detail.
The Weekly Sabbath
I will begin with the observance of the weekly Sabbath. The weekly Sabbath is considered a Jewish observance, but in reality it anti-dates Jewish history. Though it is recorded with the commandments given to Moses, Exodus 20:8-11, it dates back to the time of the creation of mankind. In (Genesis 2:2,3) God's first suggestion to Adam and Eve was that the seventh day was to be a special day of blessing, a time of rest from labor as He Himself rested after the six days of creation.
Some believers observe to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy". This practice dates back to the commandment given to Moses in (Exodus 20:8-11), but I would suggest, if this is the reason to observe the seventh day, they should go back to its original beginning in the book of Genesis.
The question is raised; the Jews observed the Sabbath on the last day of the week. The early church went to the synagogue and temple on the Sabbath day. This is true. The question to be answered is "Why did the early Christians go to the temple and the synagogues on the Sabbath?" Reading the contexts of these occasions we find they were doing missionary ministry for Christ. They wanted to reach the Jews, their brothers and sisters after the flesh, for Christ. To do so they went to the temple when the Jews would be present. They would go on the Sabbath, on the day the Jews went to be present for worship. Just as today, if non-Christians wanted to reach the most Christians with their religion, they would go to the church on Sunday, the day the believers would be in the building. An example of this would be found in (Acts 16:11-1)3. Paul had come into
Again in 1 Corinthians 16:2 the early Christians were making a practice of worshipping "on the first day of the week" because Paul admonished them "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
Thus we see that the weekly Sabbath anti-dates the Jewish law back to the time of the creation of Adam and Eve.
Then, why did God permit, and not chastise, the early Christians for worshipping "on the first day of the week"? The first day of the week was the day Jesus rose from the dead. In observance of Jesus' resurrection and the assurance of our salvation was so important to God He permitted Jesus' people to worship together in observance of His resurrection. It wasn't long until the "First day of the week" began to be known as "The Lord's Day" Revelation 1:9,10.
Other references concerning these thoughts are found in the following scriptures. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; John 20:11; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Acts 13:14ff; 15:21; 20:7, Romans 14:5 ff; Revelation 1:20).
Now let us search a little deeper. What will be the position of the various groups of believers from the various dispensations of God's eternal plans? From various scriptures, these people do not all appear to have the same positions in heaven, yet, in another sense, they will all have the same importance and glory.
The believers of the patriarchal period.
This group of people came to salvation by faith in God's eternal plan, looking forward to the coming of Christ, as did the believers in all other dispensations. However, they did not have the written word of God as has been given to us through the Old Testament writers. God spoke to many of them through dreams, visions and certain events in their lives. When they died they were in the very presence of God as we will be, but there was a difference. God could not forgive and take their sins away until Christ had come and given His life to pay for their sins. As an example we read of Enoch, "And Enoch walked with God, was he not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:25). God took him into His presence in some relationship of which we are unaware. In Hebrews 11 we read that Abel, Enoch, Noah and others of this age were blest by God at the time of death.
The believers in the age of the Old Testament Jewish believers.
An excellent example of this is in the book of the prophet Hosea. Hosea married a wife that was often unfaithful to their marriage covenant and vows. Whenever this happened Hosea, though he set her aside for the period of time when she was unfaithful, but was always there to restore her into his fellowship when she repented. He even bought her back from the slave market to reveal his love for her. She was twice his; he married her and later paid the price to redeem her unto himself once again. Read the entire book of Hosea and one can see the parallel between Hosea and his wife, and God's relationship with His wife,
As we see this truth revealed throughout the Old Testament, believing
As a sidelight, consider this question. In a spiritual sense, Jesus is our bridegroom. He came from the nation of
The believers in the New Testament era.
Now, coming to the New Testament time, to the present period in God's eternal plan, what will be the position of the New Testament believers? The New Testament makes it very clear that the church is seen as The Bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2; 22:17). Our relationship in heaven will be with Christ as the relationship of God, the Father, and the nation of
As we see the Old Testament written to and for the children of
I thought we, the church, will reign with Christ during His millennial reign. This is absolutely true, but in what position will we reign with Him? It will not in the legislative position as we may have often considered, but in a more glorious position. We will reign with Him as His bride, His queen; not in the legal and day to day governing of His kingdom.
The believers converted during the period of great tribulation
According to the Book of Revelation there will be a great multitude that will be converted during this period that transpires immediately after the church is raptured to be with Christ. At the rapture the church will be complete; no more will be added to it. Those believers who are saved during the tribulation will come to believe in Jesus Christ, but they will also be martyred for their faith in Him. Their souls will be cared for until the end of the tribulation (Revelation 6:9-11; 20:4). Then they also will be with all other believers in heaven for all eternity. According to (Revelation 20:4) these will all be raised at the end of the tribulation period to reign with Christ here on earth for a thousand years. What their position will be after the thousand years may not be as clear as the other groups. Their position is sealed because they will be ruling with Christ in governmental roles during His earthly reign. One may say, "But I thought we, the church, will reign with Him. True, but in our position, we will reign as His bride, His queen, not in the governing of His kingdom.
Now for a definite clarification; God does not have several ways of salvation for the various periods of human history. He is only revealing various views of His eternal – salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ on the cross of
This verse clearly states that everything we find recorded in the Old Testament is recorded by the wisdom of God to point forward to the ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ. Though the Old Testament believers did not clearly understand the eternal meanings of all their sacrifices and festivals they visibly revealed what God planned for the way of salvation through the ministry of His Son. Though they may not have understood, the very fact they obeyed the teachings of God, they were saved looking forward, by faith. At the close of Hebrews 11 the writer concludes with these words, "And these all, having [received witness] through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." These were all looking forward through types and pictures, to the coming of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, but the way was not completely or clearly understood. To them, Christ's first coming is like our looking forward to His second coming. Certain things are not totally clear to us concerning His second coming, but we accept the fact of Christ's return by faith. Thus, God accepted them by the faith the people had in His types and pictures. This caused the relationship of a husband being the head of the household to lead His wife as "help meets" one for the other. Notice the last verse, "They without us should not be made perfect". This certainly is not stating that we are, in and way ,better than they were; it is simply stating that because we have seen the coming of Christ and understand the way of salvation through Him, we can more simply understand what God's eternal purpose was and is to be.
Let me give you an illustration from my own life. I have MDS ((Myelo Disp+astic) Syndrome). This is a pre acute leukemia disease. Many of the red blood cells enter the body deformed and therefore they cannot effectively perform the work they were created to perform. These deformed cells are called "blast cells". I have blood tests taken monthly to see how many of these blast cells are present in my blood system, but from time to time the doctor takes a bone marrow biopsy to count the exact number, to see whether they have increased or decreased. When I questioned the doctor concerning the biopsies he said, "Through the blood tests we can see the number of blast cells as through a foggy mirror, but with the biopsies we can get an exact count to know the exact number and to know exactly how far the cells have progressed or regressed. Then we know to the point the amount of medication to use to keep the disease under control.
Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 13:12 will help us see that the Old Testament believers did not see nor could they understand it perfectly. "Now we see [in a mirror] darkly; but then, face to face; now we know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known" cf. (1 John 3:2,3). They saw the Lord as through a foggy mirror, like the blood tests. Those believers were just as we, because the future, though revealed in many ways, is still somewhat foggy, so it was with them. They could see the coming of God's plans through a foggy mirror, but much could not be totally understood.
As we have begun by tasting the delicious hors d'oeuvres, now we can see that "Feasting with Jesus" will be a delicious banquet so let us continue. Now we will get into the "main course" of our "Feasting at the Festivals" of the Old Testament.
The Feast of the Passover – Leviticus 23:4,5; Exodus 12:1-14
The Passover is introduced to us the evening before the children of
It's significance. The Passover was to be kept as a memorial of redemption of the first .born. They were delivered from the death angel as he passed over
The Passover Feast and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are tightly knit together as one feast because they were introduced at the same time and because of their common unity in time. They are often referred to as one and the same, "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew [near] which is called Passover" (Luke 22:1).
When the Israelites were preparing to leave Egypt God told Moses that this was to become their first month of the year. Since then Nisan is their first month and corresponds to our March and April. This will correspond to our Easter season. This in itself tells us there is a correlation between the Jewish Passover and the observance of the Christian time of crucifixion and resurrection. The Passover was on the fifteenth day of Nisan. The first day of The Feast of Unleavened Bread began on the fifteenth day of Nisan. This was a festival that was to continue for seven days; thus it concluded on Nisan 21. The first and last days of this festival were Holy Days to be observed as a High Holy Sabbath day. These would be separate from the regular weekly Sabbaths.
Because they were on a given date of the month, not the same day of the week, they could not fall on any given day of the week such as our Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's, but on different days of the week as our Independence Day, Washington or Lincoln's birthdays.
Its initiation. Passover was instituted as a memorial to remind the children of their deliverance from the last plague that was delivered upon the Egyptians when the first born was slain in every family and animal in
. Its name literally comes from God's promise to
Its observance Exodus 12:1-14 gives us a detailed explanation of the preparation and observance of this special day that was to be remembered as a memorial annually (14)"throughout their generations".
On the tenth day of the month the father of the family was to set aside a yearling lamb that was to be observed continually until the fourteenth day of the month (vv. 5,6). It was to be set aside that there might be a daily scrutiny of the lamb. "In the evening" of the fourteenth day, the day of preparation, the lamb was to be killed. In the Jewish thought "In the evening" was afternoon to be killed at three o'clock "The hour of sacrifice". Please note these details carefully; they are essential as we observe their fulfillment later. Note that this was "The Day of Preparation", the day of killing the Passover lamb. This was of such importance the every gospel writer takes special note that this was the day on which Christ was crucified (Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14,31,42).
The blood was caught in a basin and saved for a later use. Now, another important detail must be taken into consideration to fully understand the chronicle of events. The Jewish day is from sunset to sunset. At sunset on the fourteenth, the day the lamb was slain, the fifteenth day of the month Nisan began.
After the lamb was slain the Father was to dress it, put it on a "spit" over an open fire to roast it. A "spit" was a rod thrust through the body from head to tail to suspend the lamb over the fire. Another spit was fastened into each front leg to "spread eagle" the lamb that all would be roasted evenly and nothing would restrain the fire from accomplishing its work. Little did the father ever understand in so doing, according to God's instructions, the lamb was literally "crucified". This would symbolize their Messiah's death on a cross.
The blood that had been caught in the basin was to be applied to the door posts and the lintel of the house in which they would later eat the lamb (v22). Neither would the father understand, holding the basin probably at waist level, as he applied the blood to the two door posts and then above, on the lintel, he was literally making the form of the cross. Aren't God's instructions marvelous in their detail? (This is the foundation for many denominations making the form of the cross in their worship.) Then all the family needed to do is stay within the house and rest, secured under the blood, Then, "the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood upon the lintel, and on the two door posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not [permit] the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you. And you shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever" (v 2,3,24).
The application – Our heavenly Father knows the end from the beginning. Nothing takes Him by surprise. It is for this reason He could instruct Moses to give such detailed account as to how and when the Lamb was to be slain and how the blood was to be applied. This all portrayed Calvary and the plan of redemption, by the blood of
The Feast of Unleavened Bread – Leviticus 23:6-8; Exodus 12:14-20
The Time and Purpose to Establish the Feast of Unleavened Bread – Leviticus 23:6-8. The feast is to begin at sundown on Nisan 14 and was to continue for seven days, thus concluding in Nisan 21. Both the first and last days of the feast were to be "Holy Convocations". These would be observed as "High Sabbaths" as in contrast to the regular "Weekly Sabbaths". Because these are stated days of the month (Nisan 14,21) they could fall on any day of the given week. Note the feast is to be simultaneous with and continue after the Day of Passover.
For seven days no leaven (yeast) is to be found in any home of the Israelites. For this reason all leaven is to be searched out and destroyed before the feast begins. The leaven must be destroyed by sundown on that day - Nisan 14.
The question can rightfully be raised, "Why is all leaven to be destroyed for this period of time?" Leaven is a fermenting agent and it destabilizes anything with which it comes in contact. Whenever it is mentioned in the scriptures it is pictured as a type of sin. This was to be a very sacred season of the year for the Israeli nation and thus this picture or type of sin is to be removed from their homes. For this reason leaven is to be eliminated .from all worship and for use in the homes for this period of time (Exodus 12:15; 13:7) and in all meal offerings that were offerings of grain (Leviticus 2:11; 6:17; 10:12). As the whole week pictured the work of the sinless Christ, every suggestion of sin must be irradiated because there was no sin in Him.
The New Testament carries the same connotation when leaven is mentioned. (Matthew 13:33; 16:5; Luke 13:21; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8). In Matthew 13:33 because leavening (yeast) was hard to reprocess after it is once destroyed, the housewives would often try to hide a little leaven in a batch of flour, ready to resurrect it after the feast was over. However, through that period of time the leaven continued the process of fermentation. When the meal was once again reconstituted it had already leavened the meal.
In Matthew 16:6 Jesus is reintroducing the subject of leaven and its unholy identification. He uses it in teaching against the Pharisees and Sadducees. As He speaks of their "forms of godliness but denying the power thereof" He refers to it as fermenting leaven which negated all of their positive ministries and made them of no avail.
In Luke 13:20,21 Jesus speaks of the
Paul continues this negative fermenting action as leaven is introduced in the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 5) when a man in the church takes his father's wife as his own (5:1). He described how the church should discipline an individual for committing such a heinous sin. Such a one is to be cast out of the church and treated as an unbeliever. Continuing through the passage, Paul refers to two sins specifically, malice and wickedness. as the antitype of leaven.
The regulations and practices of the Feast of Unleavened Bread – Exodus 12:14-20. On the first day, Nisan 14, all leaven is to be removed from their houses. The first and the seventh day were to be holy days to observe as a weekly Sabbath. No manner of labor is to be done (v16). It is to be a week long celebration to conclude in the 21st of Nisan (v6). To follow this exactly as written it would total eight days. Over and over it repeats that this is a seven day festival. As I might interpret the statements to bring a reconciliation I ask myself the question, Is this referring to the evening of the day (Nisan 13) or at toward the evening of the day (the closing of the day)? As I see the chronology of the events I lean toward thinking this is referring to the evening (closing) of the day. To fit this into the seven day time frame it would be the evening of the fourteenth day (our time interpretation). Thus the fifteenth to the twentieth would be a seven day period.
With this understanding, let us reconstruct the time table and activities of the day. During the fourteenth day all leaven was to be cleansed from the house. Then beginning at sundown at evening, they were to east unleavened bread through the twenty-first day of the month. As this represents a perfect picture of the very solemn time in the life of our Lord, leaven, a type of sin in its every reference in the Bible, it is set aside completely. This represents a perfect picture of our Lord's death, burial (and in the next lesson) His resurrection (Hebrews 4:15)"For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin".
(See my lesson on "Satan's Attack Plans")
The Feast of First Fruits – Leviticus 23:7-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
This feast is a closely related part of the Passover and the feast of which we have just written. The Passover was first introduced and the Feast of Unleavened Bread became a part of the Passover observance (Luke 22:1). The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a week long celebration of which Passover was observed as the first day. God instructed Moses that the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was to be a holy Sabbath on which the people were not to perform any labor. This would also be the Day of Passover. The Passover lamb was to be slain the previous day (The Day of Preparation) at "the hour of sacrifice" (three o'clock in the afternoon). It was to be dressed, the blood applied to the door posts and the lentil of the door. After the lamb was roasted the entire family entered the house to which the blood had been applied. They were to eat the lamb prepared for urgent departure (Leviticus 12:11).
The death angel would go throughout the land of Egypt and in whatever house did not have the blood applied, the death angel would kill the first born of all the Egyptians from Pharaoh to the most humble of the nation, not only of the family, but also of all their livestock (Leviticus 12:12). But in the homes of
Christ was crucified on the Day of the Preparation just as it had been done to the Passover Lamb. The high priests came to Pilate and asked that the legs of the two thieves and Christ might be broken to hasten their deaths, not out of pity for these, but that the bodies might be taken from the crosses and disposed of before the Sabbath holy day (John 19:31). They were more concerned about desecrating the holy day than they were the victims of their harsh cruelty. When they came to Christ, they saw that He was already dead so they pierced His side. Why? This was in fulfillment of prophecy which stated "not a bone of his body shall be broken" (John 19:36,37; cf. Psalm 34:20 cf. Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Zechariah 12:10;Revelation 1:7)).
Now "Feasting with Jesus" let us see what we are having for desert. Dessert is always special; it is the sweetest and most delectable part of any meal. I am reminded of the story of the pastor visiting one of his parishioners as they were coming close to the time she would be going home to be with the Lord. She said she had instructed the funeral director she was to be buried with a fork in her hand. Of course the pastor had a question about the purpose of the fork. Then she told him that during the funeral service why she had made such a request. She said, "Tell the congregation that she had attended many church suppers and as they cleared away the dishes from the main course the waitresses would always say 'keep your forks, there is something better coming'. From those experiences I learned 'there is something better coming'". Is this not true at the end of our physical life for the believer? "There is something better coming."
And He arose from the grave the same day as The Feast of First Fruits were harvested and presented to the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
But wait, there is one more detail that must be fulfilled to make this an absolute perfect fulfillment of this entire weekend. Turn to Matthew 27:52,53. Note the exactness of these two verses. The graves (I believe of the Old Testament believers) were opened; but notice carefully, "and many bodies of the saints (Old Testament believers) that slept [were raised] and came out of the graves after his resurrection". I quote from the New Scofield Reference Bible page 1044, note 2 on v52 as he has explained to my thinking in concise and clearer explanation that I could write it. "(27:52) Although the graves were opened at the time of Christ's death (50,51), the bodies did not arise until "After his resurrection" (v52). Christ is the first-born from among the dead (Col. 1:18; Revelation 1:5) "and "the first fruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). It is not stated that these bodies returned to their graves. The wave sheaf (Leviticus 22:10-12) typifies the resurrection of Christ, but it would appear from the symbol used that plurality is implied. It was a single "corn of wheat" that fell into the ground in the crucifixion and entombment of Christ (John 12:24); it was a sheaf which came forth in resurrection. The reference is that these saints went with the risen Christ into heaven."
To complete this entire, complex, yet simple ensample of God's divine authority of the Bible let us look at an incident on the morning of the resurrection that I have never heard explained. In Matthew 28:1-10; John 20:11-18 we have two accounts of Mary Magdalene going to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning, one time alone and another time with other women. I have never heard an explanation about a single detail of these two passages. Matthew 28:1 can very easily be translated "In the end of the Sabbaths" (plural rather than singular). According to the Thursday explanation of Jesus' crucifixion rather than Friday it would correct many apparent discrepancies as to the day Jesus was crucified. This would explain Friday as the High Holy Sabbath of Passover and then immediately Saturday, the regular weekly Sabbath. Then on the "first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher" (Matthew 28:1). The fact there are two different accounts of appearances of Jesus to the women after His resurrection must be considered. Before I do, I must admit through all of my studying I cannot go into the details because they are too many. Left to our imagination and insight I will not discuss what is not clearly stated. However there are two appearances that call for our observation. In Matthew's account it states that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb and seeing the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on the stone that had been rolled away. He told them that Jesus had been raised from the dead. They are instructed to go and tell His disciples. As they went they met Jesus. He greeted them and we read, ""They came and held him by the feet and worshipped him." Now let us turn to John's account (20:10-18). Mary is alone weeping outside the tomb. She stoops and looks in and two angels are sitting on the ledge on which Jesus had been laid. The conversation indicates that as yet she did not understand anything about the resurrection. She thought someone had stolen the body of Jesus. Then turning, she saw Jesus. Jesus spoke to her and she "supposing him to be the gardener" carried on a conversation with Him.
There is no explanation recorded in the scriptures, but I have often wondered where Mary might have gathered the idea that the resurrected Jesus was the gardener. It does prove one thing, Jesus did not travel with a holy radiance about Him as some have portrayed Him because she did not recognize Him from a holy radiance. He was total man just as much as total God. I see a simple explanation, but I have no scripture to support my line of reasoning. If you have a better explanation I would certainly give it consideration.
To answer this question let us go back to the crucifixion. I do not want to take away any of the "romance" one might have about this incident, but let us be realistic. First, Roman execution by crucifixion was to strip the victim naked to add to the humiliation to their already humiliating situation. I know every picture we have seen of the crucifixion there is a loin cloth present to show some modesty, but this is not the reality of execution by crucifixion. He was nailed to the cross naked to add more humiliation. Upon death Joseph and Nicodemus took Him from the cross, wrapped Him in burial cloths which were still in the tomb after His resurrection (John 20:6-8). From these stated and historical facts Jesus came from the tomb naked. Where would He get clothing to cover His nakedness? Did the garden caretaker have a tool shed where he could hang his work clothes before going home at night? Might Jesus have gone to the tool shed and put on the gardener's work garments? I see it as a possibility and a logical explanation.
Then there arises another question with even greater significance. Note John 20:17 which states "Jesus said unto her (Mary), Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father." Again quoting from the New Scofield Study Bible, page 1156 note 2. "(20:17) Compare Matthew 28:9; "and they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him".
A contradiction has been supposed. (1) That Jesus spoke to Mary, acting, as it were, as the High Priest fulfilling the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Having accomplished the sacrifice, He was on His way to present the sacred blood in heaven; and, between the meeting with Mary in the garden, and the meeting of Matthew 28:9, He had ascended and returned – a view in harmony with types.
What would have transpired during this interval? To bring us to date once again, let us review. Christ had been crucified; at the moment of His death, there was an earthquake, the graves had been opened but not depopulated; Jesus had entered
To answer the above question may I give a suggestion? There is nothing in the scriptures to verify the events specifically. My suggestion was that Jesus ascended to heaven, offered His blood to the Father as an atonement for our sins. Heaven was then open for all believers and thus Jesus escorted the Old Testament believers into the very presence of God, the father. See Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18.
Today, the delectability of our Feasting with Jesus is to see how fully and completely he fulfills all of these feasts. Did you realize that over three hundred prophecies and ensamples of His ministry were fulfilled in a period of less than twelve hours on the day of His crucifixion, and each in total and complete accuracy. Charting, as I did in my seminary study, let us see how these few days are completely fulfilled in the anti-type of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord.
IMPORTANT: To see the fulfillment of these feasts in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, remember, the Jewish day began at sunset one day to the sunset of the next day. In contrast our day begins at 12 am and ends at 11:59 pm that day.
Just a sidelight for your evaluation. In Ephesians 4:26 we read "Be angry and sin not, let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil". Why did Paul suggest we have all negative accounts resolved by sunset? Because that was the close of the day and a new day began at that moment of sunset. Wouldn't it be a marvelous experience to resolve all issues by sunset rather than carrying them to bed with us? By resolving all conflicts at sunset, we would have the evening to relax so at bedtime we would be rested and at peace. What a night of restful sleep this would bring to each that we could rise upon a new day ready to serve without contention. Just a thought.
The first actions that introduce this season of festivities began on Nisan (the first month of the Jewish year comparable to our March/April).
The Old Testament Activity The New Testament Fulfillment
Nisan 10
The Passover lamb was set aside to seek The Triumphal entry into
out any blemishes or imperfections time Jesus was set aside to be observed, scrutinized for any imperfections. Jesus' sinless perfection was seen in its fullest during this week.
Nisan 14 – Day of Preparation
The Passover Lamb was slain at 3 pm, Jesus died at 3 pm, the same moment the
Dressed, prepared and roasted to be Passover Lamb was slain 1 Corinthians 5:7
Eaten and the blood applied to the
The blood was applied to the door of
the house where they ate the lamb
All leaven was to be purged from
their houses
Nisan 15
The Passover Lamb was eaten and all Jesus was in the grave after He had
remained under the blood paid for our sins – Passover Sabbath
Passover Day – Sabbath observed
Nisan 16
Weekly Sabbath, all rested Jesus remained in the grave
Nisan 17
The observance of the Feast of First Jesus rose from the dead as our first fruits
Fruits ! Corinthians 15:20-23
The open graves were emptied
Fifty days later
Feast of Ingathering; Feast of Weeks Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit
The birth of the Church of Jesus Christ
Acts 2
Another thought – If there had been a day between the two Sabbaths, given this opportunity, would not the women have come to the tomb and prepared Jesus' body for permanent burial? Lazarus had been in the grave for four days (John 11), and when Jesus commanded them to open the grave Martha responded, "Lord, by this time his body has begun to decompose; for he has been dead four days (v39).
They had gone to the grave of Jesus for the same reason, to prepare the body for permanent burial. Would they have not taken the same opportunity to save such a situation?
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