The atonement has been the central issue of true religion from the beginning of man’s mortal sojourn through eternity. In Judaism, a special day was established as a Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

"The tenth of the Hebrew month of Tishrei is Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and prayer for all Israel, a day which has been significant to Jews throughout the ages. The Day of Atonement is the last of the Ten Days of Penitence which begin with Rosh Ha-Shanah, and is the climax of the repentance and soul-searching incumbent on every Jew during this period."

"The essence of the day and the reasons for its special prayers and ceremony are expressed in the Torah: "For on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before the Lord."

"So important is Yom Kippur that it is the only fast day which may be observed on the Sabbath and is never postponed until the next day. Moreover, the Torah describes the holiness of Yom Kippur by calling it the "Sabbath of Sabbaths."

"In ancient literature there are several stories of people being rescued from inside fish (Heracles the Hesione, Perseus, and Andromeda); but only in that of Jonah was the rescue effected by prayer and not by force. The book is to be understood as a lesson in Divine forgiveness and mercy --- to Jonah as well as to the people of Nineveh --- and as a lesson in obedience to God's will. As a symbol of the effectiveness of repentance it is read as the haftarah at the afternoon service of the Day of Atonement."

"Jonah is known for the incident involving the whale, or large fish, but that episode is secondary to the lesson the Book comes to teach. Jonah learned through bitter experience that non-Jews are also God's creatures and one must not begrudge them God's love and forgiveness. Also to be learned is the fact that true repentance is accepted by God and earns His pardon for almost any sin. Because of its theme of sin, repentance, and forgiveness the Book of Jonah is read every Day of Atonement at the Minhah service."

"Repentance consists of several stages --- firstly the sinner must reflect on his actions and realize that he has indeed done the wrong thing. He must then make up his mind never to do it again, and confess his sin. This confession is not made to any other human being but is made by the sinner directly to God. On this basis the two confessions Ashamnu and Al-Het were introduced into the prayers for the Day of Atonement which is a special occasion for repentance and forgiveness. However, even when a sinner has done all these things, his repentance is still not final until he has been exposed to the same temptation and withstood it. Of course he should not deliberately put himself on that spot again. (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

When the famous Rabbi Schneersohn from Brooklyn died, some of his followers expected him to rise again after three nights and three days. Thousands of posters of the famous Rabbi had been distributed and abundantly portrayed with such captions as "We want Messiah now!"

"The 7th Lubavitch leader, Menahem Mendel Schneersohn, born in Russia in 1902 and educated in mathematics and engineering at the Sorbonne in Paris, led the New York community from 1951 until his death in 1994. He was childless and did not designate a successor. Under his direction, the influence of theLubavitch community spread far beyond the hasidic community and penetrated the mainstream of Jewish life in all parts of the world. In theory, the Habad Hasid is too sophisticated to expect miracles from his leader --- he looks to him only for spiritual guidance. Nevertheless, the great "rebbe" was said to have cured a man of cancer by placing his hand on the man's side and saying "si'z gornisht" (It's nothing). A campaign hailing Rabbi Schneersohn as a Messiah began in the late 80s and has continued beyond his death in the 1990s. The messianism gripped a large part of the Lubavitch community and has created a huge debate in the ultra-Orthodox communities in the Diaspora and Israel."

"To some, Messianism undermines the first line of defense against Christian missionizing which has always been that Judaism cannot accept a Messiah who dies in the midst of his redemptive mission. To others, Rabbi Schneersohn is the one who will be resurrected to complete a process of redemption for the Jewish people." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

For the Jews as well as for the Christians, the fact of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish for three days and three nights is a symbol of atonement or at least that Messiah would rise from the dead. Yet, the three nights and three days of Jesus’ interment and coming alive again is still not recognized by the Jews as a sign of the his Messiahship. One major reason for this may be that the account of his death and resurrection simply is not known and if known is not recognized.

Many Christians struggle with the symbolism due to a "mainstream" Christian thinking of "Good Friday" as the crucifixion day and "Easter Sunday" as the resurrection day. That, according to the scriptural way of calculating twenty-four hour days still is only two nights and two days.

"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. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." (Matthew 12:38-42)

Excerpts from the soon to be published book, HOLY LANDS REVEALED and the accompanying video, number six, In The Footsteps of Jesus, give a review of those three nights and three days.

* * * * * * *

DEATH AND RESURRECTION

 

CAIAPHAS AND THE TRIAL OF JESUS
A Mock Trial: Late that night Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and taken to Caiaphas the High Priest by his soldiers. The incarceration and interrogation were not part of an official trial . Both were illegal under the circumstances. That evening was the beginning of the Preparation Day, a holiday by itself; it was night time and there was no formal charge against Jesus. These and other items precluded any trial to be carried out legally.

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

 . . . In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. MATTHEW 26:47-58

Caiaphas, the High Priest: Caiaphas was the High Priest over three councils that made up the grand Sanhedrin assembly. However, Caiaphas apparently was only meeting with one of the three councils and not the entire Sanhedrin (seventy men). The Sanhedrin would have to judge in such a case (if it were a legal trial).

The House of Caiaphas: Caiaphas’s house is now a church built over dungeon rooms , two thousand years old, where prisoners were held. Holes in the rock walls were used to tie and spread out their hands and feet for scourging. This basement prison reminds us that Caiaphas and some powerful elders conspired to trap Jesus by his own words.

But Jesus held his peace . . . MATTHEW 26:63

Blasphemy: The priestly wordsmiths, who would not even say "God" or utter his name, had the practice of substituting words representing God’s name. They would use phrases such as, "He that comes in the clouds of Heaven." They would refer to a Messiah as "He that sits on the right hand of Power," or "Blessed is His name." In anger, the High Priest challenged him, in the name of God,

tell us whether thou be the Christ, the son of God. MATTHEW 26:63

Jesus simply replied,

Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see [this] Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. MATTHEW 26:64

The High Priest, perhaps stung by the realization that he himself had invoked God’s name, cried out,

He hath spoken blasphemy . What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. MATTHEW 26:65

Peter Denies the Savior: The cock had just crowed . In fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy, Peter had just denied the Savior the third time. Then, one can imagine, turning and looking into Jesus’ face, Peter turned again and ran out into the break of dawn, weeping bitterly.

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. MATTHEW 26:74-75

Execution for Temple Violations: Under the Roman political system, the Jewish priests were not to carry out executions except for temple violations. (Their executions would have been by stoning, throwing the victim over a high cliff and then covering him with stones they would throw down.) The priests bound him and led him away to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

 

PONTIUS PILATEThe Judgment Hall: Today, the site is maintained by a Catholic Order, The Sisters of Zion. The archaeological ruins recently discovered may have been well preserved by the traditions dating from Byzantine times. Floor stones and cisterns reveal ancient Roman markings and usage as a fortress.

A Wife’s Dream: At the Antonia Fortress, Pontius Pilate at first did not want to be troubled with the case. He may have been bothered by his wife’s dream to have nothing to do with Jesus. However, he soon realized a potential political gain . Repeatedly, he had Jesus brought forth, beaten, intimidated, and crowned with thorns. H e taunted the priests with Jesus’ release. He said,

 I find in him no fault at all. JOHN 18:38

Crucify Him: Maddened by Pilate’s reluctance to favor them with an execution, they cried out,

Away with him, crucify him. JOHN 19:15

Political Gain: Pilate, probably egging them on and hoping to accomplish something for himself, said,

Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar . JOHN 19:15

Ah, the political gain was achieved (the priests, after all, did publicly acclaim Caesar to be their king).

Then delivered he him . . . to be crucified. JOHN 19:16

This may have been the achievement that endeared Pilate to Herod—after all, he got the Jewish priests to acclaim Caesar.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. LUKE 23:12

 

THE CRUCIFIXION

The Place of a Skull: Jesus, bearing his cross (probably just the cross beam, as the upright post was most likely already at the crucifixion place),

went forth into a place called the place of a skull , which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha. JOHN 19:17

Simon from Cyrene: On the way a man named Simon from Cyrene was made to carry the cross beam to the place of execution. (One can imagine that Jesus may have stumbled, although it is not mentioned.) The name Simon is Jewish; the place, Cyrene, is in Africa. The man could have been one of the hundreds of thousands of Jews of various ethnicities gathering in Jerusalem for Passover. He carried the wood for the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb of God.

Outside the City Wall: A site outside the city wall looks like the described place. It was the Roman practice to crucify along the roadways . In this ancient, abandoned quarry, known by Jews as a place of execution, a roadway still passes through.

Daylight had progressed about six hours. It was close to noon, but,

there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. MARK 15:33

A Slow Death: Crucifixion was a slow strangling death. Breathing required very painful movements, and speaking was virtually impossible. Yet, during his agonizing physical, mental, and spiritual anguish, he spoke several times. Mostly it was in concern of others.

Jesus Speaks from the Cross: The Bible records seven things that Jesus said while on the cross.

To those who nailed him:

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. LUKE 23:34

To those crucified with him: (In response to them)

for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise [world of spirits]. LUKE 23:41-43

To His Mother:

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! JOHN 19:26

To John the Beloved:

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. JOHN 19:27

To the Guards:

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. JOHN 19:28

To His Father:

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? MATTHEW 27:46

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. LUKE 23:46

To the World:

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. JOHN 19:30

His Legs Not Broken: The Jewish priests did not want the crucified bodies hanging on the cross on the Sabbath days (for that evening was the beginning of an extra Sabbath day, a High Day). So, they besought Pilate that the prisoners’ legs might be broken. This would hasten their deaths in that they could not press against the nails in their feet to gasp for breath. Once dead, their bodies might be taken away. However, when the soldiers saw that Jesus was dead already

they brake not his legs. JOHN 19:33

 

A TOMB IN A GARDEN

Disciples of Jesus Help with the Burial: After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, a member of the Sanhedrin, and

a disciple of Jesus . . . besought Pilate that he might take the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. JOHN 19:38

With the help of Nicodemus,

took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices . . . 

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’s preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. JOHN 19:40-42

Two Sabbaths in a Row: The scurrilous events of that day preceded the Passover which was due to begin any moment. The Passover (a special Sabbath or High Day) that week probably preceded the regular Saturday Sabbath.

The Jews [Priests] therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) JOHN 19:31

A Sign to the Pharisees: It is probable that there were two Sabbaths in a row that year (the Passover Sabbath and the regular seventh day of the week Sabbath). In that sense, Jesus was crucified on what we call a Thursday. (This fits in the time reckoning of Palm Sunday being five days before the Passover). Then in fulfillment of prophecy, he really was in the tomb three nights; and on the third day he arose—

and be raised again the third day. MATTHEW 16:21 (see also MATTHEW 17:23, MARK 9:31)

This is also the only "sign" Jesus gave the Pharisees.

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. MATTHEW 12:38-40

In speaking to the Pharisees, he specifically connected himself with Jonah, who was in a great fish

three days and three nights. JONAH 1:17

* * * * * * *

The scriptures bear witness, the spirit bears witness of an empty grave, "He Is Not Here." They teach us that color, calendar, clock, people places and experiences were used to foreshadow the atonement. To this moment, with open hearts we may have experiences, meet worthy people, visit holy places, understand God’s clock in the timing of calendar events and see the color of Him who died and came alive again.

TOP