Easter Sunday, has come and gone, but it evoked questions in the minds of some who would like more information. This is an attempt to provide such for further thought.
Q.
Exactly what day of the week was Jesus crucified, and how can one know for sure?
Exactly when was the veil of the Temple torn into two pieces, and just what is that supposed to mean?
Q.
Exactly when did the earthquake occur in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus?
Exactly when did the great number of saints arise from the graves to be seen in Jerusalem?
Q.
Exactly why did Jesus forbid Mary to touch Him near the garden tomb, yet invited the disciples to freely feel his body?
God did not choose to use an abundance of verbosity simply to fill up a certain number of pages in His book. This underscores the fact that 2 Timothy 2:15 is not just good advice, it is vital to understanding. One must study to show himself approved of God; a workman who does not need to be ashamed, but who can rightly divide the word of truth. Thus as an answer to question number three is undertaken, it, too, must be the product of study, and some serious thought, too. Think with me about it!
Reading some of the gospel accounts could leave one wondering if there were an earthquake. Matthew makes note of the earth quaking, while the other gospel writers do not.
Then in sorting out the meaning of Matthew’s account one will find that there actual y were two earthquakes. The first occurred at the moment of, or immediately after, Jesus died on the cross.
Matthew 27:54 speaks of those who were watching Jesus also observing that earthquake. It is believed that this is also the moment of the veil of the Temple being rent from top to bottom.
But, there is more. Matthew 27:51 records another earthquake at the resurrection of Jesus. It is here that rocks were rent, and the bodies of many of those who slept arose and went into the city. The key phrase in Matthew 27 is that the resurrection of those saints occurred “after His resurrection.” Jesus is the first fruit of those who arise from the dead. What a joy it is to see these things coalesced into symmetrical sense. Just here this writer is reminded of Prov. 25:2,
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”