Have you ever considered that the Bible states Jesus would be in the grave three days and three nights, (Matthew 12:38-40) yet, church tradition insists that Jesus was crucified and laid in the grave on Friday evening and arose on Sunday morning before dawn, which at best, is only two days and two nights later? This is a contradiction that the church has been willing to live with for centuries. Why? The answer to this question may surprise you!

The contradiction is easily answered, however, in noting the order of the first three feasts of Israel found in Leviticus 23, which Jesus was to prophetically fulfill. These feasts are Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. Jesus, being the Passover Lamb of God, was crucified on Passover, laid in the grave as the unleavened (sinless) bread of God, and resurrected on First Fruits as the "Firstfruits from the dead" (I Cor. 15:20). The feast of First Fruits was always on the Sunday following Passover. Since it is easily proven that Jesus arose on Sunday, counting backward from Sunday should cause one to conclude that Jesus was crucified on Thursday. This is the best way to harmonize the call in Matthew 12:38-40 for Jesus to be in the grave three days and three nights.

Why is this important one might ask? First, the critics of the Bible love to point out these so-called contradictions so as to question the integrity of the Scriptures themselves. Second, should not the facts surrounding the most important and impacting event of human history be important? Lion of Judah Ministry has just published a booklet about this subject, dealing with these issues in detail. It is a fascinating fourty-page booklet that you will find enlightening, challenging, and stimulating. It will make a most convincing case that Jesus was indeed crucified on Thursday. It is called Christ and the Passion Week by James Jones, Lion of Judah Board Chairman, with Gary Fisher. To receive a copy, call the Ministry, or see the enclosed response form.