Nisan 14 – Now it was the ninth hour…

April 22, 2024

Nisan 14, 5784; from sunset April 21, 2024, to sunset April 22, 2024

This is the name “Yeshua” (יֵשׁוּעַ – Jesus) as seen on the James Ossuary. Yeshua comes from the verb “yasha” meaning “to save or deliver.” Yeshua means “Salvation.”

Today in the Bible, it’s now the ninth hour and we’re closing in on Jesus’ death. Once again the gospel writers call out the hour. The ninth hour was the time slated for the sacrifice of the afternoon lamb. One again, it’s no coincidence that this detail was included. Let’s read what else they have to say about this momentous day.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” – Matthew 27:46-47

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there… – John 19:25-29

Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” – Matthew 27:48-49

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, `into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. – Luke 23:46

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:51-54

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. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” – John 19:31-37

And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. But all His acquaintances… – Luke 23:48-49

…and many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar… – Matthew 27:55

…among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome… – Mark 15:40

…the mother of Zebedee’s sons. – Matthew 27:56

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath… – Mark 15:42

…a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. – Luke 23:50-51

…[Joseph] being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus… – John 19:38

Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. – Mark 15:44-45

When Joseph had taken the body… – Matthew 27:59

…he bought fine linen…and wrapped Him in the linen… – Mark 15:46

And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. – John 19:39-41

And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. – Mark 15:46

So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. – John 19:42

…and the Sabbath drew near. – Luke 23:54

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. – Mark 15:47

Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. – Luke 23:56

We’ve already compared the time that Jesus was first placed upon the cross and the time that He died upon that cross to the times of the morning and evening sacrifices. The continual burnt offerings.

In earlier posts, we compared Jesus, our Passover Lamb, to the purpose of the Passover lamb that Israel chose at the time of the exodus from Egypt. The lamb was to be chosen on the tenth day of the first month and then inspected for blemishes before it was sacrificed on the 14^th day of the first month.

Ephesians 1:4 tells us that Jesus was chosen before the foundation of the world. Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8 both tell us that, to God, a thousand years is like one day. From these Scriptures, the sages teach us that the world will follow the pattern of creation. Six days — that is six thousand years — are reserved for mankind. The seventh day — the Sabbath day — belongs to the LORD. The seventh day corresponds to the Messianic era. The day — the thousand years — that the Messiah will reign on earth. If Jesus was chosen as the Lamb before the creation of the world, then “four days” later He would be sacrificed, in order to follow the pattern set forth by the Passover lamb in Egypt. If Jesus was sacrificed on the fourth day after He was selected, then following the pattern of creation means there are two more days — two thousand more years — before the Sabbath day — the Messianic era. This is when we believe He will return and He will rule and reign from Zion (Isaiah 2:3). We are nearing that point.

The blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt was placed on the lintel and doorpost of the homes of those who were then passed over by the angel of death. Jesus follows in the pattern of that lamb, His blood must be applied to the lintel and doorposts of our hearts in order to be passed over by the angel of death at the end of the age.

Another way that Jesus follows after the pattern of the Passover lamb can be found in Exodus 12:46. It tells us that the bones of that lamb were not to be broken. Jesus’ bones were not broken.

When Jesus had His last supper with His disciples, His last Passover Seder, He asked them to remember Him every time they observed it. When viewed in the setting of the Passover, Jesus’ sacrifice takes on a deep, rich meaning. Generation after generation have remembered that night and have told their children what the LORD, their God, did for them. We hope that you’ll take on this tradition and read the story of the Passover from Egypt each year when you remember Jesus’ sacrifice upon the cross and pass that story on to your children and grandchildren.

Let us also take a moment to remember Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Both men lovingly took care of Jesus’ earthly body, preparing it for burial. In doing so, they made themselves unclean. Those who have touched a dead body were unable to partake of the Passover that night. But our Father had already made accommodation for them. Numbers 9:9-13 contains a provision for those who were unable to observe the Passover in the first month because of this reason. They were able to observe this rite on 14th day of the second month. If you stick with us at Today in the Bible, we’ll remember Joseph and Nicodemus on that day.

To see all of our posts regarding “Yeshua” (יֵשׁוּעַ – Jesus), click on the image below.