Transforming Christian Vision – Teaching Christian Truth – Unifying Christian Perspectives
Let us reason together. This is the heart of the matter. One may ask, “David, do you know that your chronological time line is not currently taught by the ecclesiastical authorities? How do you reconcile your time line (Nisan 14 morning perspective, and Nisan 14 afternoon perspective), with what is currently taught?” I would simply reply that I reconcile my understanding with the Holy Scriptures.
First, let’s consider the Nisan 14 morning perspective of the time line. Here, there are two Scriptural explanations that prevent the ecclesiastical authorities from coming to this same conclusion.
- The ecclesiastical authorities do not reconcile their understanding with the Holy Scriptures.
(Exodus 12:6; Deuteronomy 16:4) (Leviticus 23:6,7; Numbers 28:17,18; Numbers 33:3)
The paschal lambs were always sacrificed during the appointed time, beyn ha arbayim, from God’s Perspective. This appointed time always fell on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, it was a perpetual ordinance. The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread by the letter of the law was always on the Jewish fifteenth calendar day.
The ecclesiastical authorities do reconcile their understanding with a Pharisaic tradition.
This tradition is referenced by R. Brown (The death of the Messiah;p.847) and includes, Jubilees 49:10; Josephus (War 6.9.3; p. 423); Mishna (Pesahim 5.1, 5.3); Philo (De specialibus legibus 2.27; p.145) This reconciliation would have had Jesus and the entire congregation of Israel stumble in keeping the appointed time for the paschal lamb sacrifices. Jesus and the entire congregation of Israel would have sacrificed the paschal lambs, on the Jewish fourteenth calendar day by the letter of the law by tradition, instead of on the Jewish fifteenth calendar day by the letter of the law by God’s command. (Deuteronomy 8:3) (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Galatians 4:4) (James 2:10)
- The ecclesiastical authorities do not reconcile their understanding with the Holy Scriptures.
(Exodus 12:15,19) (Leviticus 23:6,7; Numbers 28:17,18; Numbers 33:3)
Leaven was to be removed from the houses on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread by the letter of the law was always on the Jewish fifteenth calendar day. No leaven was to be found in the houses for seven days.
The ecclesiastical authorities do reconcile their understanding with a Pharisaic tradition.
This tradition is referenced at Crandall University’s: A First-Century Jewish Passover
In the (Mekilta 12:15, Pisha 8:38-41), R. Ishmael, R. Jonathon, and R. Jose all concluded that “on” the first day in Exodus 12:15, referred to “the day preceding” the first day. This reconciliation would have had Jesus and the entire congregation of Israel stumble, by removing the leaven from the houses on “the day preceding” the first day by tradition, instead of removing the leaven from the houses “on” the first day by God’s command. From a Christian perspective, leaven would not have been found in the houses for eight days under this tradition, contrary to the seven days commanded by God. (Deuteronomy 8:3) (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Galatians 4:4) (James 2:10)
Next, let’s consider the Nisan 14 afternoon perspective of the time line. Here, there is one Scriptural explanation that prevents the ecclesiastical authorities from coming to this same conclusion.
- The ecclesiastical authorities do not reconcile their understanding with the Holy Scriptures.
(Luke 23:45) (Amos 8:9) (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44)
We have a specific reference in the Scriptures to a solar eclipse on the day Jesus was crucified. Here is a description of that reference. “In addition to the earliest known Lucan papyrus (ca. AD 200), all the major manuscripts of Luke’s Gospel (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Ephraemi [C], and L) contain what appears to be the standard technical description of a solar eclipse (τοῦ ἡλίου ἐκλιπόντος); other Lucan manuscripts dating from before AD 900, however, lack any trace of these three words.” [The Jewish Calendar, a Lunar Eclipse and the Date of Christ’s Crucifixion, Colin J. Humphreys and W.G. Waddington; Tyndale Bulletin 43.2 (1992) p.348]. In other words, it appears that in the earliest known and major manuscripts of Luke’s Gospel, we have God’s Word that the sun was eclipsed on the day of Christ’s Crucifixion. This specific reference to a solar eclipse in the inspired Word of God is included in the Nisan 14 afternoon perspective of the time line.
The ecclesiastical authorities do reconcile their understanding with science.
It is a well known scientific fact that a solar eclipse is naturally impossible during the full moon of Passover. One scientific explanation explains the cause of the three hour period of darkness, as a darkening of the sun, possibly caused by a natural Middle Eastern sandstorm or dust storm. (Mystery of the Last Supper, Colin J. Humphreys p.84)
In summary,
It is also a well known scientific fact that resurrecting from the dead is naturally impossible! The ecclesiastical authorities in this case, however, do reconcile their understanding with the Holy Scriptures in faith, that Christ Jesus’ Resurrection, and the resurrection of many others, were a direct result of the supernatural power of God according to His Word.
The chronological time line that I present is in complete harmony with all of Holy Scripture. It also explains the birth of those same Pharisaic traditions that the ecclesiastical authorities use to reconcile their understanding of Holy Week events. These Pharisaic traditions actually testify to the supernatural power of God that occurred on the day that Jesus was crucified, and on the day that Christ Jesus was gloriously resurrected from the dead. All Biblical perspectives (Judaism, Messianic Judaism, Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant) (JACOP) are reconciled through our one Lord and Savior during this most Holy Week! Jesus is the Head of His Church, the Body of Christ! Jesus is the Son of God! God is our Savior! Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
In Christ’s Service,
David Behrens
Sola Gloria Dei!