Did Jesus crucify on the Preparation Day or the Sabbath? This question is crucial for believers to explore.
One contemporary teaching posits that “The New Is In The Old Concealed; The Old Is In The New Revealed.” This concept suggests that the Old Testament holds foreshadows and types that are fully unveiled in the New Testament. In essence, Jesus is seen as fulfilling all the sufferings, punishments, and redemption described in the Old Testament.
THE DAY OF CRUCIFIXION
For instance, under this teaching, Jesus’ crucifixion can be seen as a parallel to the Passover lamb described in Exodus 12, which was burned as a sacrificial offering.
While it’s clear that Jesus is the Lamb of God sacrificed for humanity, nevertheless, the day of His crucifixion doesn’t align with the day described in Exodus 12.
Indeed, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, known as “Good Friday” of the Holy Week, the period leading up to “EASTER” that celebrates His resurrection. This crucifixion occurred on the “Day of Preparation”, which falls on Friday; the day before the Jewish Sabbath i.e. on Saturday.
The verses that indicate Jesus was crucified on the Preparation Day are found in John 19:31, Mark 15:42-43, and Matthew 27:62-63.
Exodus 12:6-7 describes the instructions for the Passover lamb: it is to be selected on the 10th day of the month and kept until the 14th day when it is to be slaughtered. This passage establishes the timing for the Passover but it does not explicitly identify that the 14th day was a “Sabbath”.
However, Numbers 28:9-10, and Numbers 28:18-20 outline offerings and sacrifices related to the Sabbath and the Passover Festival in honor of the Lord that are to be held on the “fourteenth day” of the first month. The feast of unleavened bread commerce from the 15th to the 21st, for 7 days.
Additionally, Mark 16:9 indicates that Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week. Some translations, such as the Good News Translation, render this as ‘Rose from death early on Sunday.’ This aligns with the traditional understanding of Jesus’ crucifixion 3 days ago, which was on Friday.
Hence, it established that the Passover in Exodus 12 was on the Day of the Sabbath.
In summary, these two events, the crucifixion of Jesus occurred on the Day of Preparation, a Friday, that Christians traditionally observe as Good Friday. However, this timing presents a discrepancy when compared to the Passover event described in Exodus 12. Unlike the Passover Lamb sacrificed on a Sabbath, Saturday, Jesus’ crucifixion took place on a different day.
PURPOSE
The Passover, as detailed in Exodus 12, was a pivotal moment in the Israelites’ history. Instituted as a deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the application of blood to doorposts and lintels signified divine protection. The Lord “passed over” Israelite households, sparing them from the devastating plague that claimed the lives of Egyptian firstborn sons and livestock. This event marked the last plague.
In contrast, the crucifixion of Jesus, often referred to as the Passover Lamb but the blood did not spare and protect His people. Instead, many of His people were dispersed, martyred, and prosecuted and the Temple was subsequently destroyed in AD 70. Primary, at the cross, Jesus as the Passover Lamb speaks more on forgiving sin and releasing His Spirit that gives life to the believers.
Obviously, the Passover in Exodus 12 and the crucifixion, yielded vastly different results. One brought jubilant freedom, while the other initiated a path of suffering, dismay, and tribulation.
PALM SUNDAY
Certain interpretations of Scripture suggest that an additional Sabbath may have occurred during that sacred week, leading to the possibility that the crucifixion of our Lord was not on Friday. However, the Scriptures recount that Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, ONE WEEK before HIS RESURRECTION (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 12). Therefore, it is consistent that Jesus glorified God on the Day of Preparation, which is known as Good Friday.
If Jesus was not crucified on Good Friday, believers would have commemorated this sacred event incorrectly for centuries.
UNLEAVENED BREAD
The third and final discrepancy between Exodus 12 and the New Testament pertains to the concept of Unleavened Bread.
Exodus 12 mandates a seven-day observance of unleavened bread annually as part of the Passover Feast, commencing on the fifteenth day of Nisan and concluding on the twenty-first. In contrast, the New Testament shows “Unleavened Bread” metaphorically to signify a continuous, lifelong pursuit of moral and spiritual purity.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, exhorts the Corinthians to eliminate the “old leaven” of sin from their lives, drawing a parallel between clean living and the physical removal of leaven from bread.
Paul’s reference to “unleavened bread” signifies the imperative of expelling “THE OLD LEAVEN” of sin from their lives and adopting a new, sinless existence.
This metaphor is not merely about consuming bread without yeast. Indeed, 1 Corinthians 5 stands in contrast to contemporary teachings that suggest partaking of the Holy Communion bread, seeing Jesus being “ROASTED” at the cross, will bestow upon believers God’s favor, blessings, and complete restoration.
This idea of “ROASTED” bread is rooted in Exodus 12:8. However, the true meaning of Unleavened Bread, as presented in 1 Corinthians 5, calls for a life of thorough sinlessness. It does not imply that the sins judged upon Jesus at the cross will absolve believers from the consequences of their ongoing transgressions.
SUMMARY
In summary, the assertion that Exodus 12 foreshadows the crucifixion of Christ through typology, as both concealed and revealed, presents several contradictions. These discrepancies are:
- The day of the Passover occurrence
- Outcome of Passover
- Duration of Unleavened Bread
- Purpose of Unleavened Bread
CONCLUSION
Given the substantial disparities and contradictions, identifying Exodus 12 as a direct prophetic foreshadowing of Christ’s crucifixion is problematic. While parallels exist, the concept that the Old Testament prefigures the New is challenging to reconcile in this instance.
Furthermore, it contradicts the modern teaching that claims that partaking communion with the REVELATION in seeing Jesus “Roasted” likens the description in Exodus shall bestow upon believers God’s favor, blessings, healing, and complete restoration.
The Passover sacrifice described in Exodus 12 is confined to the judgment of the firstborn. While Christ’s second coming will judge all who reject and disobey Him. It’s crucial to remember that even though Jesus is the Passover Lamb, His sacrifice did not exempt early believers from scattering, martyrdom, and intense persecution. How, then, can believers assert that consuming the Bread can shield them from all adversity and suffering?
Jesus’ primary role as the Passover Lamb bestowed sin forgiveness and imparted His Spirit as a gift to Christians. Whereas, the Passover in Exodus 12 is for the delivery of His people from slavery.
Undoubtedly, Christ is the Lamb of God, the Redeemer and Passover Lamb; yet His redemptive work differs from how redemption was wrought in the days of Exodus 12. Amenbible
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