Cry, dance, pray and worship... Obama???

Let us get one thing straight, the only person I will worship is no person at all and that is Jesus Christ.

Now, every true Christian in the world should cry when they read this. But let us not forget the book of Revelation, oh yeah and Daniel and Thessalonians or the whole Bible for that matter. This is most likely just some propaganda or what ever but someday the Jewish nation will declare a Messiah (whomever it my be) that will be the Anti-Christ... So, on one hand we should cry that these things are happening, but we should also rejoice that the day of the Lords coming is getting ever nearer.
We need to pray for our nation and world. HOWEVER, more eminent is our circle of influence. These things should only remind us of how close we are getting and compel us to get off our backsides and spread the gospel. SO DO IT... even with only those in your personal phone book.
Lord help us find the strength, to drop whatever lead is in our veins, get us moving. We should need no other motivation than your word but our flesh is still so tied to this world and gripped with fear. Help us Lord to organize for this spiritual battle. Just like I was thinking earlier Lord the demons of this world are so patient and seemingly organized that they gather to do the will of the master of the world. Give us that ability Lord to organize and spread your word. Fight the spiritual battle that has been and is at hand. We want to fight the good fight and run the race to win, help us to gather and group for your glory, mighty God. We so love you and want your day to come that we sometimes neglect to tell others so that they might be free of the world and washed clean by your blood. I love you Jesus and thank you for your blood and your sacrifice on the cross and I am so thankful that you come down and rose again. My master, Thy will be done. Thank you, Jesus, our savior

OBAMA WATCH CENTRAL

100 days in office, coronated Messiah

Arms outstretched, he wears crown of thorns on his brow

Posted: April 25, 20097:13 pm Eastern
By Drew Zahn© 2009 WorldNetDaily

"The Truth" by Michael D'Antuono On his 100th day in office, President Obama will be "crowned" in messianic imagery at New York City's Union Square.
Artist Michael D'Antuono's painting "The Truth" – featuring Obama with his arms outstretched and wearing a crown of thorns upon his head – will be unveiled on April 29 at the Square's South Plaza.
According to a statement released about the portrait, "The 30" x 54" acrylic painting on canvas depicts President Obama appearing much like Jesus Christ on the Cross: atop his head, a crown of thorns; behind him, the dark veil being lifted (or lowered) on the Presidential Seal. But is he revealing or concealing, and is he being crucified or glorified?"
Even the title of the piece, "The Truth," suggests a play on biblical themes, as Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
"More than a presidential portrait," writes D'Antuono on a website touting the painting, "'The Truth' is a politically, religiously and socially-charged statement on our nation's current political climate and deep partisan divide that is sure to create a dialogue."
Like others in the news who have depicted Obama in Christ-like imagery, D'Antuono insists he isn't claiming the man is Messiah, but only inviting "individual interpretations."
"'The Truth,' like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder," claims the exhibit's press release.
D'Antuono even invites the public to email him with reactions to the piece, answering his posed question, "What's your truth?"

As WND has reported, D'Antuono follows others who have cast Obama in messianic imagery.
Clark's Obama sculpture, riding a donkey at the Iowa Capitol
In January, artist Matthew J. Clark paraded a sculpture of Obama riding a donkey and preceded by waving palm fronds, reminiscent of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem in the 21st chapter of Matthew as foretold by the prophet Zechariah: "Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass."
Like D'Antuono, Clark was also unclear about whether his piece was proclaiming Obama to be the Christ or making some social commentary. Clark's website described the sculpture in vague terms:
"This project was inspired by my thoughts about 'icons' and religious symbols and whether they represent truth or merely represent," Clark's website reads. "The sculpture poses a question that relates to social conventions, metaphysics, and the collective response of society in reaction to fearful and uncertain times, but doesn't impose an answer. For me, it has much more to do with the general public as followers than any leader granted power."
Others, such as Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, have been far clearer in their nearly religious adoration of Obama. As WND reported, Farrakhan declared last year that when Obama talks, "the Messiah is absolutely speaking."
Addressing a large crowd behind a podium with a Nation of Islam Saviour's Day 2008 sign, Farrakhan proclaimed, "You are the instruments that God is going to use to bring about universal change, and that is why Barack has captured the youth. And he has involved young people in a political process that they didn't care anything about. That's a sign. When the Messiah speaks, the youth will hear, and the Messiah is absolutely speaking."
Farrakhan pointed out that the man Nation of Islam followers refer to as "the Savior," Fard Muhammad, had a black father and a white mother, just as Obama did.
"A black man with a white mother became a savior to us," he said. "A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."
WND previously reported a website called "Is Barack Obama the Messiah?" capturing the wave of euphoria that followed the Democratic senator's remarkable rise.
The site is topped by an Obama quote strategically ripped from a Jan. 7 speech at Dartmouth College just before the New Hampshire Primary in which he told students, "… a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany, and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote" for Obama.
WND also reported on near-religious experiences surrounding Obama on the campaign trail, as supporters who came to hear him speak on several occasions fainted in the middle of the candidate's speeches. As WND reported, some compared the fainting to fanatical swooning in the midst of a mesmerizing preacher; others, like radio host Michael Medved, thought the collapses were staged moments; and still others believed it was simply a matter of people standing in the crowds too long and growing dehydrated.
P.J. Gladnick of NewsBusters, in an article about D'Antuono's painting on the eve of the Obama administration's 100-day-mark, notes that the messianic parallels begun early in the presidential campaign don't seem to be stopping:
"The artist quite clearly portrays Obama as a latter day Christ-like figure, considering the outstretched arms and the crown of thorns. Obama worship, complete with halo images, has been noted before," writes Gladnick, "but it was nothing compared to current expressions in awe of 'The One' as we approach his hundredth day in office on Wednesday."

Article from: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96138

Hate... who is really defining it?

Hate - 1 a: intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury b: extreme dislike or antipathy
Loathing - extreme disgust
Detestation - 1 : extreme hatred or dislike 2 : an object of hatred or contempt



Bigot - : a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices ; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance



Who do these terms remind you of? What groups come to mind when you meditate on these words? Is it the Christian that wants to tell you about Jesus and His salvation? Or the someone else?



I for one don't think of Christians... However, much of the world apparently does. When a Christian says, "the bible tells us that homo-sexuality is a sin, what do you think about those actions?" We are being hateful, but when a person gets in your face knocking items out of your hand and yelling and spitting their point of view, that is acceptable.



Which one of these doesn't belong? Look at the definitions and the actions...

Anyway, I have run out of words or rather I just don't have the words at the moment to describe or illustrate what I am feeling/thinking...



What I do know is that Jesus is coming in judgement. On that day there will be many who will realize their own shame and it will be too late.




Revelation 19:11-16
Christ on a White Horse
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
NKJV




Revelation 20:11-15
The Great White Throne Judgment
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
NKJV



Yes, we have a written standard. That is why it is a standard because it is written...


Romans 2:12-15
12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) NKJV (emphasis added)







So, check out this article about the up coming laws that face all of us, soon;



Judiciary Committee greenlights 'hate crimes'Members refuse to protect Christian pastors from charges
Posted: April 23, 20095:07 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee today rejected an opportunity to protect Christian pastors who preach the biblical condemnation of homosexuality and approved on a 15-12 vote a "hate crimes" bill that supporters admit could be used to bring charges against religious leaders.
The bill, H.R. 1913, now will be considered by the full House of Representatives.
The committee rejected a number of amendments offered by several members seeking to protect religious liberty, to protect the unborn, to protect against violence by illegal aliens, and to clarify the bill's meanings of "gender identity" and "sexual orientation."
One of the rejected proposals was offered by Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Texas, who sought to ensure ministers could not be prosecuted for abetting a "hate crime" simply because they preach from the Bible or another religious book.
When a nearly identical plan was developed in the last Congress, Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., admitted during a hearing on the bill it could be used to prosecute pastors merely for preaching under the premise that they could be "inducing" violence in someone.
The bill ultimately failed then because President Bush determined it was unnecessary – the crimes banned in the legislation already are addressed by other laws – and it probably was unconstitutional.
"The federal hate crimes bill is bad news for everyone," said Brad Dacus of Pacific Justice Institute, who testified in Congress against the bill two years ago.
"Instead of treating all crime victims equally, it creates a caste system where select groups, such as gays and lesbians, are given greater priority in the criminal justice system. This is not progress; it is political correctness. In other nations and states, the adoption of hate crimes legislation has been the first step toward widespread suppression of speech and ideas critical of homosexuality," he said.
Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel has spoken out against H.R. 1913, the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009," a number of times.
"As has proved to be true in both Europe and Canada, this Orwellian piece of legislation is the direct precursor to freedom killing and speech chilling 'hate speech' laws. It represents a thinly veiled effort to ultimately silence – under penalty of law – morally, medically and biblically based opposition to the homosexual lifestyle," he said.
Barber said the 14th Amendment already provides that victims of violent crimes are afforded equal protection under the law "regardless of sexual preference or proclivity."
"If passed, H.R. 1913 will change all that. It overtly and, most likely, unconstitutionally, discriminates against millions of Americans by granting federally preferred status, time and resources to individuals who define their identity based upon aberrant sexual behaviors (i.e.,'gay' and lesbian 'sexual orientation' or cross-dressing 'gender identity')," he said.
He also said there is "zero evidence" suggesting homosexuals do not get equal protection now.
"In fact, you need only look to the most famous 'hate crime' of all – Matthew Shepard – for proof. Although the evidence determined that Shepard's murder was not a 'hate crime' by definition (a misconception still widely propagated by the homosexual lobby, the media and liberal lawmakers), the two thugs who committed the crime nonetheless received life in prison – and rightfully so. (Shepard's murder turned out to be the end result of a robbery for drug money gone from bad to horrible)," he said.
Barber said likewise the murderer of Mary Stachowicz, a devout Catholic grandmother brutally killed by a homosexual for sharing the Bible with him, also was given a life sentence.
"The system worked in both cases and both victims received equal justice under the law apart from any discriminatory 'hate crimes' legislation," he said.
Barber cited FBI statistics showing there were about 1.4 million violent crimes in the U.S. in 2007, but only 1,512 were presumed to be "hate crimes." And two-thirds of those involved claims of "hateful" words, touching and shoving.
Under the specifications of the law, a Christian needn't touch a homosexual to face charges, he noted.
"If the homosexual merely claims he was subjectively placed in 'apprehension of bodily injury' by the Christian's words then, again, the Christian can be thrown in prison for a felony 'hate crime,'" he said.
The committee also rejected an amendment offered by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, that would have withheld its special protections from pedophiles.
WND reported just a day ago that the plan was introduced by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., who said, "The bill only applies to bias-motivated violent crimes and does not impinge public speech or writing in any way."
Section 10 of the act states, "Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution."
However, critics cite United States Code Title 18, Section 2, as evidence of how the legislation could be used against people who merely speak out against homosexuality. It states: Whoever commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal.
Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, warned Christians to speak up before the legislation passes. He said they are acting like the proverbial frog in a slowly heating kettle that boils to death.
"They need to wake up and take action to oppose this threat to religious liberty."
This article can be found at: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95923

For similar articles see:
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95296





Final thought...


Psalm 5:5
5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. KJV



Proverbs 8:13
13　　　　　The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
　　　　　Pride and arrogance and the evil way
　　　　　And the perverse mouth I hate.
NKJV

Shame on our nation...

Ok, this just in... Over-the-counter morning after pills for teens!!! You read that right and it is our federal judges that are demanding/forcing it to happen. It will start with 17 year old's but many groups are forcing the issue for girls of ANY age to have access.
Shame on our nation...

For a full article see: http://foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/22/official-fda-says-year-olds-morning-pill-prescription/



Here is an article on the "Day of Silence" April 13 (?)... it is a day where the gay community request that students take a vow of silence for a period of time during school (and as far as I understand is supported by the schools but don't quote me on that). Watch the video. The article and the video really bring home the mixed up views of the sinners shows how blind they really are to their own actions...
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95852


And as a reminder to any Christians that may be reading this, remember what we are commanded to do and how we are to do it:

2 Timothy 4:2
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

ESV

2 Timothy 4:2
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

KJV

Praise God, I am starting to feel the fire within me be rekindled... I know I have been slaking in my evangelism/proselytizing...

On a side note... I don't normally follow these sort of events HOWEVER, I have to thank, give a "job well done," or rather offer up an AMEN to Miss California (Carrie Prejean) for having the faith in God to give the answer that she did and is sticking to during and since Sunday's pageant.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95656

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95743

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95782

I will add that I (of course) know nothing of her actual beliefs or the doctrine that she follows aside from what is reported in these articles.

Not of This World - 2009 Mens Retreat

Key verses for the retreat...

John 17:14-19
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
NKJV

Philippians 3:20
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, NKJV

James 4:4
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. NKJV

The nuts a bolts of the location and activities:

This is were we slept... at night...

Some of us didn't stick to just the beds for sleep...

I just liked this picture because it made me laugh. I couldn't help it I saw this and it made me think of all those lost and blind evolutionist that think a cliff that is "eroding" is evidence for their point of view...

Of course we had to get pictures of each other for my wife...

And a shot of us during song/worship prior to the message...

This is what we (at least the early risers) woke up to on Saturday morning. Isn't God a great artist...

And the verse that most spoke to me and what I am currently struggling with... Actually, I am not sure this is accurate to my specific struggle but it is what is echoing in my ears.
1 Timothy 6:6-9
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. NKJV
(emphasis added)

What I mean by that is simply that I don't care so much about money and possessions but I do find contentment difficult as spoken in:


Philippians 4:11
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: NKJV

When Did Jesus Die? Update...

This handout has been updated by the original authors... Please see the link at the bottom of the post for the updated version with a chart for those of us that are visual learners.

A handout from the biblical teaching of Calvary Church of Port Orchard... Thank you Jesus for leading me to a church that your word is preached, even on issues that would seem so small to the world...

When Did Jesus Die?
Was it on Good Friday?
THREE DAYS IN THE TOMB VS. THE LAW AND GOSPEL ACCOUNTS
By Karl Duff and Kevin Lea – April 10, 2009
Note – This handout was used during the Wednesday night service at Calvary Church of Port Orchard on April 8, 2009. The title of the service was "When Did Jesus Die?" You can listen to the teaching by going to www.calvarypo.org, then clicking on the Sermon Archives link and scrolling down to the title. It is being posted now, but will be updated with some visual aids soon.
For several centuries Christians have celebrated Good Friday as the day that Jesus died on the cross. But is it the truth? If not, when did Jesus die and how could so many have been so wrong for so long? Does it really matter what day of the week Jesus died?
I believe it is very important for Christians to know the answer to these questions and this handout is written as an attempt to provide a Biblical answer.
Is it the truth that Jesus died on Friday?
If Jesus died on Friday, then it is not the truth that Jesus was three days and three nights in the grave, as he predicted He would be:
Matt 12:39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (NKJ)
Those who believe in a Friday crucifixion have gone to great lengths to try and squeeze three days and three nights between Friday and Sunday morning. But no matter how hard one tries, it cannot be done and the scoffers of the Bible are more than glad to point it out to those who are trying to stick with a Friday tradition. Therefore, either Matthew was in error about what Jesus said, Jesus was in error about how long He would be in the grave, or Jesus did not die on Friday. I am thankful that the last option has very strong Biblical support.
But doesn’t the Bible say that Jesus died on Friday? No, it does not. What it does say is that Jesus died on the day before a Sabbath day:
Mark 15:42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. (NKJ) 2
Luke 23:52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. (NKJ)
John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. (NKJ)
Those who look at these verses without an understanding of the Jewish feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread assume the word Sabbath in these verses means a Saturday Sabbath, but it does not. A careful study of the Jewish Torah (first five books of the Old Testament – referred to as The Law) reveals that there were other "Sabbath" days the Jews were required to observe that were independent of the normal Saturday Sabbath. Many false understandings have crept into the church as a result of gentile believers failing to understand our Jewish roots and the false understanding of when Jesus died is probably the most significant.
The solution to this centuries-long misunderstanding is not an "easy fix." In order to find the truth, great care must be taken to understand the Jewish feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits as they were established in Exodus and Leviticus. Then additional care must be taken to understand how the Jews changed or mixed their terminology about (and observance of) these feasts in the years leading up to Jesus’ generation. Then further additional care must be taken by comparing all that was said by all of the gospel writers pertaining to the day of Jesus’ death and of His resurrection. One must also keep in mind that the Jews mark the end of one day (and start of the next) at sunset rather than the current western practice of doing so at midnight.
The following bullet items are intended to lay the foundation for the concluding thoughts, and when carefully compared to scripture appear to me to fully reconcile the alleged conflict in the four gospel accounts of Christ's death and resurrection. It is postulated:
(1) That Jesus held His "Last Supper" on the night of the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan (In Jewish reckoning, the night of Nisan 14 precedes the daylight hours of Nisan 14). The night of Nisan 14 coincides with the night that death "passed over" the Jews but killed the firstborn of Egypt (See Exodus 12). In Moses’ day, Nisan 14 was referred to as "The Passover" day (Exodus 12:5-6).
(2) The events of the Last Supper and crucifixion took place on Wednesday rather than on the traditional Friday (or as alternately proposed by some, Thursday.)
(3) The next day (starting at sunset on Wednesday), was Nisan 15, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which runs for 7 days. The first and seventh days of this Feast are special "Sabbath" days (Leviticus 23:7-8). In Moses’ day, this week of Nisan 15-22 was referred to as the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6). In Jesus’ day Nisan 14 became know as the "Preparation Day" for the Passover week (formally – Feast 3
of Unleavened Bread). This practice continues to this day in Israel (as can be seen on any Jewish calendar).
With these three postulations as a basis the following understanding flows from the Biblical texts:
All four gospel accounts agree that Jesus died on "preparation day", i.e., the day before the start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (also referred to as Passover week) which commences on Nisan 15 - See Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, John 19:31.
Nisan 15 is a High Day (John 19:31) or Holy Convocation (Exod. 12:16, Lev 23:7-8), a Sabbath allowing no work. It is distinct from a Saturday Sabbath and falls on a different day of the week each year, just like someone’s birthday is not on the same day of the week every year.
Contrary to the Jewish Law (Torah) of the Exodus/Leviticus texts, both Matthew (Matt. 26:17) and Mark (Mk. 14:12) provide a statement that the "first day of Unleavened Bread" is on the day that the lamb is sacrificed.
Matt 26:17 Now on the first {day} of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 18 And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I {am to} keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'" (NAS)
Mark 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him. 12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?" (NKJ)
The Torah makes it very clear that the lamb was to be slain on Nisan 14, which Moses referred to as Passover (Exodus 12:6, Lev 23:5), but the gospel writers refer to as the preparation day. The lamb was not to be killed on Unleavened Bread as Matthew and Mark record. This can only be reconciled in one of two ways. Either the gospel writers were using the Roman scheme for "days" (where the start of the Sabbath Feast could occur in the same "midnight-to-midnight" 24-hour period - rather than the Hebrew sunset-to-sunset 24-hour day) OR some inter-variation of terms was involved. We will see that the latter is the case.
It is likely that Matthew and Mark used the general term "Unleavened Bread" (omitting inclusion of the specific words 'Feast of') to refer to the combined Exodus feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread. These feasts (when combined) occurred on Nisan 14 and Nisan 15-22 respectively – 8 total days. It is also likely that the term "Preparation Day" meant the preparation day for the 7-day week of Unleavened Bread (Moses) Passover (Jesus’ day and current).
Compare Mark 14:1 with Mark 14:12. In 14:1, Mark uses the Moses/Exodus terminology, but in 14:12 he uses the terms of Jesus’ day. 4
Mark 14:1 Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread was two days off; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth, and kill {Him;} (NAS)
Mark 14:12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover {lamb} was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?" (NAS)
The conclusion is that vernacular expressions of these observances varied with usage (Passover and Unleavened Bread, Preparation Day and Passover (week), Unleavened Bread (meaning all eight days) – all being used to describe the same eight days associated with these two feasts) . Modern Jews, including Israeli Jews, confirm this.
This enables the use of the general term "Unleavened Bread" to include the Passover sacrifice. Hence Jesus' disciples assigned to set up His "Last Supper" Passover meal set up the meal to be eaten on preparation day (Nisan 14), which started after sundown on Nisan 13. Both the set up and supper could have been after sunset on a Roman Calendar Tuesday, but the beginning of Jewish Wednesday (although the set-up itself could have taken place prior to sunset.) With that assumption, Jesus’ betrayal in the garden, Jewish and Roman trial, crucifixion, and death would also all have taken place on Wednesday.
Following Jesus' betrayal and death, the approaching High Sabbath (John 19:31) of the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread required the bodies to be quickly removed from the crosses and be buried before sunset Wednesday evening, prior to the commencement of Nisan 15.
As stated, this day is also defined as a "Holy Convocation", just as is the regular seventh day, Saturday, Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3-8). This was also important to the Pharisees, who wanted to be ritually "clean" and able to take the traditional Passover supper celebration at their customary commencement of Passover on Nisan 15.
It can here again be noted that Jesus celebrated it a day earlier with His disciples, corresponding to the actual playing out of events in Egypt as the original Passover occurred (i.e., the slaying of the Passover lamb, the supper, and the Passing over of the "death angel" all occurring on Nisan 14.)
Jesus was then buried just prior to sunset on Wednesday evening (i.e., prior to commencement of Thursday on the Jewish calendar).
Thursday continued the High Sabbath associated with the first Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15) through that evening. Friday was a regular work day. It was during this time that some of the women went to purchase spices to properly anoint the body of Jesus when Sunday morning came.
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath [Nisan 15 - Thursday] was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him [after the Saturday Sabbath and after those guarding the tomb for three days and nights would no longer prevent them from entering the tomb]. 2 Very early in the 5
morning, on the first day of the week [Sunday], they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
Notice that Mark says, "Now when the Sabbath was past." This cannot possibly mean the Saturday Sabbath, for that would mean the women went out to purchase spices on Sunday (resurrection Day). "Now when the Sabbath was past" must mean when the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread (Thursday) was past (i.e., on Friday) they purchased the spices, then rested on the normal Saturday Sabbath, then went to the tomb on Sunday to anoint the body of Jesus.
Saturday was the regular weekly 7th-Day Sabbath, so that both the first and third days in the tomb were Sabbaths, at the end of which Jesus had spent three days and nights in the tomb.
He was resurrected sometime during that Saturday night (Sunday night by Jewish reckoning where any particular day’s night precedes its day), prior to sunrise on Sunday, the "first day of the week." Since Jesus was not in the tomb the entire night (John 20:1), it is not considered to be a fourth night in the grave (Matt 12:40 - only Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were full nights).
Matt 12:40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (NKJ)
John 20:1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.(NKJ)
Mark says the women who arrived later than this first visit by Mary Magdalene (before sunrise - only recorded by John) wondered who would move the stone
Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-- for it was very large. (NKJ)
We must remember that the Jews asked Pilate to post a guard at the tomb.
Matt 27:62 On the next day [Thursday], which followed the Day of Preparation [Wednesday – Nisan 14], the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' 64 "Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard. (NKJ)
If current tradition about the day Jesus was crucified is correct (Friday), then it was on Saturday that the Pharisees asked Pilate to seal the tomb for three days. This sealing and guarding of the tomb would have been well known to the disciples of Jesus. They would have also known that the guards would be posted for at least three days and nights. If this were the case, why would women plan to come very early the very next morning thinking they could get through the guards 6
and the sealed tomb to anoint the body of Jesus? Also, why were they wondering how they would move the stone?
If, however, these women knew that Jesus died on Wednesday, and that the tomb was ordered sealed and guarded for three days starting on Thursday, then they would have known that the guard’s duty would end on Sunday morning and they would be free to have the tomb opened and then enter. In fact it appears they were concerned that the guards may have already left and would not be available to help them roll away the stone.
Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-- for it was very large. (NKJ)
When the first women arrived, the guards were still there to witness the miraculous earthquake and moving of the stone (at or after the resurrection event).
Matt 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (NKJ)
It can be conjectured that shortly after this earthquake; the guards fled the tomb and went to the religious leaders to tell them what happened. Shortly after their departure, the second group of women are arriving at the tomb area. Before getting to within eye contact of the tomb’s entrance, the women notice that the guards are gone and won’t be able to help them move the stone. When they get a little closer to the tomb, they then notice that the stone is already (inexplicably) rolled away. It makes no sense that the women would go to the tomb without a plan for moving the stone. They must have been counting on the guards to do so, and they could not have counted on them unless three full days and nights had transpired.
Matthew 27:64 "Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and -------.
This conjecture flows naturally with Mark’s text when one considers that the need to move the stone could not have been an oversight.
Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-- for it was very large. (NKJ)
When the guards reported the events to the religious leaders, they were bribed into spreading the lie that the disciples had taken the body in the night. This lie has lived in the minds of some till this day. 7
Matt 28:11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.' 14 "And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure." 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (NKJ)
In summary, lets now consider the questions that started this inquiry:
Did Jesus die on Friday? – No, and nothing in the Bible says that He did. It is a lie which is based on the traditions of man which ignore the details of the biblical texts of the Old and New Testaments pertaining to the Jewish Passover. Jesus died on Wednesday and rose three full days later, before sunrise on Sunday morning.
How could so many have been so wrong for so long? - Because the Catholic Church, which is the source of the deception, is not interested in our Jewish roots nor in the true gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result of their influence in trying to keep people from obtaining a deep understanding of the scriptures, and because much of the Protestant church has also ignored the teachings of the Old Testament, most are still in the dark.
Does it really matter what day of the week Jesus died? - Yes, it certainly does if you are interested in the truth. Knowing the truth will also keep you from being tested in your faith when a college professor who loves mocking ignorant Christians (or some other Bible critic) challenges you to come up with three days and nights between Friday and Sunday morning. Knowing the truth about the timing of Jesus’ death and resurrection gives us assurance about the accuracy of the Biblical record. If we keep in mind the Jewish roots of God’s salvation plan, everything fits into a perfect order that fulfills the great sign that Jesus gave the world:
Matt 12:39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (NKJ)
John 11:24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." (NKJ)
I pray this handout has helped you to grow in your faith in Jesus. A GOOD WEDNESDAY to you!

For the link to this Handout see: http://www.calvarypo.org/HANDS/0656.pdf

[Pictures added by blogger]