Crucifixion Foreseen

Crucifixion Foreseen
Matt. 26:17

17 Now [de] the first [protos] day of the feast of unleavened bread [azumos] the disciples [mathetes] came [proserchomai] to Jesus [Iesous] , saying [lego] unto him [autos] , Where [pou] wilt thou [thelo] that we prepare [hetoimazo] for thee [soi] to eat [phago] the passover [pascha] ? KJV-Interlinear

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?' NASB

The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover are in fact two separate celebrations, but since they are so close together (the Unleavened Feast immediately following the Passover Feast), they are often looked at as one long eight day Feast.

The Passover is a one day celebration, originating from the time of the Exodus when the blood of the sacrifice was painted over the doors of those who were obedient to God (by painting their door posts) as the last plague was executed against the first born of Egypt, thus passing over the first born of Gods people. Sin (Egypt) was judged and Gods chosen people (those who were obedient - believers) were spared from that judgment.

This of course is a picture of Jesus Christ going to the Cross (the sacrifice) in our place (mankind), being made sin (Egypt) for us, and taking on the punishment (our substitute) of sin (Gods Justice), so that we might have an opportunity (requiring our faith in Christ - obedience to Gods requirement for salvation) to live forever with Him in heaven (spiritual maturity and/or the promised land).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a seven day celebration, which follows immediately the Passover. It is a celebration representing the departure away from sin and death, or that which had a detrimental influence on life. The leaven, or yeast, was to be removed from all the households. That yeast representing the influence on the flour, which yeast has, causing it to rise and become more fluffy (full of air) and so forth. This rising is representative of the emptiness of arrogance and all the sin and human good characteristics which accompany it.

Once sin has been judged then that former life is to be left behind, and a life of 'unleaven' or one of dependence on God (fellowship - a state without sin), is to be followed. Those who are positive toward God attempt their very best to follow this path. Those who are negative are in effect going back to the leaven (that which strongly influences them by arrogance) in their life Or as it is also taught, the dog going back to its vomit. All of which is representative of people going back to their former life in sin and remaining out of fellowship.

Two of the disciples ask where they are going to eat the Passover meal. These two are Peter and John, Lk. 22:8. This is an important point. The disciples do not know what the schedule is. They are now on the first day of the celebrations. It is Tuesday evening. Recall that the days at that time, are recognized as beginning at sunset, and ending at sunset of the next day. So Tuesday evening until Wednesday evening (6 p.m. until 6 p.m.) make up the first day of the celebration. Jesus and his disciples are preparing for the evening meal - late Tuesday evening.

The sacrifices for the Passover and in preparation of the Feast of Unleaven Bread (the next seven days) will occur on the following day (Wednesday afternoon). The Feast of Unleaven Bread will begin on Wednesday evening and run until the following Wednesday evening - or seven days.

The deaths of the sacrificial animals occur preceding the beginning of the Feast of Unleaven Bread. For there can be no association with any defiled thing once that feast begins. Christ will be on the Cross on Wednesday afternoon, and will be taken down and placed in the grave before the feast begins, Wednesday evening.

He will remain there for three days and three nights.
Day one - Wednesday evening until Thursday evening.
Day two - Thursday evening until Friday evening.
Day three - Friday evening until Saturday evening.

At some point, after the three days, between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, Christ arose and left the tomb. He was not in the tomb on Sunday morning. He had already risen.

By the way, the crucifixion did not occur on Friday as is popularly celebrated. You cannot get three days and three nights between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. At best you can only get in a little over a day during that time frame.

Now again, the two ask where the evening meal is to be held. The disciples did not know. Why? Remember that Judas is now looking for an opportunity to deliver Jesus to the chief priests. Some moment when Jesus would be alone and otherwise out of the publics view. Jesus was to celebrate this last meal, with His disciples, before His time was at hand (the following day). If Judas had known where they would be eating, then he might have set the arrest of Jesus in motion prematurely. Thus the clandestine instructions which Jesus will give in the next verse. But we'll save that study for tomorrow.

Gods timing is perfect. God is in control of history. Nothing and no one can interfere with Gods plan, nor change it in any way, even knowing what is to come. Satan was well aware of the feast celebrations and their meaning. Yet even he could not change the schedule.

So it is with each of our lives. God leaves nothing to chance. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. If we are obedient and patient, then He will guide us through our lives in calm seas. If we are impatient and apprehensive about our lives, then we will only run from one storm to the next.

Subscribe Daily Bible Study Mailing List Receive Daily Bible Studies directly into your inbox.