The Resurrection: Part II – Our Road to Emmaus

Dust filled the air as the two disciples walked the path towards Emmaus. They had just come from Jerusalem and had heard the miraculous stories told by the women who had claimed to see the risen Lord. However, these fanciful stories were too fantastic to believe. As they continued their journey a man in a long robe that covered his face drew nigh unto them. The two began discussing the week’s events with this man; however, as they continued they could see that he had no knowledge of the events that had transpired, and yet he seemed to have the spirit of prophecy with him like no mortal they had known. As they drew near the city of Emmaus they asked the man if he would stay with them for the night; the time was about 4:00 in the afternoon. The man came in unto their home and asked for bread and brake it and gave it unto them. As the scales upon their eyes fell and they realized that the very Lord stood in their midst, he vanished from the room leaving them with a feeling of awe and reverence. “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” At the same moment they arose and returned in haste to Jerusalem that they might find the disciples before the setting of the sun. (see Luke 24:13-35).

Each of us at some time in our life will find ourselves on the road to Emmaus. We each have been told fanciful stories of grace and mercy that are often more than we can believe. We have been told of stories of power beyond comprehension. Many have heard personal witnesses from others who have claimed to have seen the Savior or who have felt of His love and power. The question will be that while we journey upon our own road of mortal life, how will we respond? Will we believe those who have testified of the Savior and accept his redeeming blood, or will we lack the faith required to believe? When the Lord comes to us through the service of others will we invite them in to sup with us and to partake of those things of which we have been blessed?

Every day we are faced with the opportunity to serve another human being that stands in need of our help. Every day we are given the chance to serve the Lord by giving to those who hunger and thirst. For “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

When our days upon the earth are past we will not be asked about the size of our homes or how many personal possessions we gained. However, we will be asked if we believed on the words of others in regards to the Savior and if we have served God by serving our fellow man. Though these two disciples at first did not believe, I feel that because they were so willing to serve that the Lord allowed their eyes to be opened and their hearts to be softened that the presence of the Lord would abide with them. In that moment of faltering faith and fear that must have filled their hearts that day as they walked to Emmaus, they had not forgotten the words of their Master to serve others. In their attempt to follow the Lord Christ He blessed them beyond description. That we each may serve the Lord by serving our fellow man, and that we may always stand ready to welcome in the presence of the Lord into our homes and hearts is my prayer on this Sabbath day.

The Resurrection: Part I – The Empty Tomb

It was just before dawn on the first day of the week. The Jewish Sabbath had not yet come to a close. As Mary Magdalene and several other woman walked towards the tomb with lamps in hand to light the way, they peered into the darkened garden. As they looked, they scarcely could believe their eyes! Was the stone rolled away? They began to run towards the rock hewn tomb. They peered inside the tomb and saw that it was empty except for the single burial cloth that had wrapped the body of their Lord. As they stared in amazement, two men in brilliant white robes appeared before their eyes. “Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen: he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him as he said unto you!” Wonder and awe filled their hearts as they rose from the ground and turned on the empty tomb and began to run towards the city gate of Jerusalem. The sun was now just rising over the Mount of Olives. Today was truly a new day! (see Mark 16:6-7)

The day was Sunday morning, just before the daybreak. The time would be around 6:00 A.M. Several women had come to complete the burial process for their Lord. At the burial of a loved one, the family would tightly wrap the body of the deceased with white linen. As they wrapped the body they would place various types of ointments and spices within the folds of the cloth (interestingly one of these ointments was that of myrrh, which was also given to the child Jesus as a gift by the wise men). This embalming was to help to mask the smell of death as the family would continue to come and honor the deceased at the tomb. As they came they were greeted by messengers from heaven who told them that the Lord had risen and that they should go and tell the disciples of the Lord's rising. Upon coming to the disciples, the brethren where slow to believe and decided that they must go and see for themselves. This disbelief is not hard to understand, for though they had seen three individuals raised from the dead by the Lord, never had they seen one who had been resurrected from the dead. It is one thing to see one who has passed on before be restored to life, only to die again, but entirely different to see one raised from the dead, never again to die. Truly, this would be a hard thing to understand or believe. Truly, this was an amazing and miraculous event.

We each, on a daily basis, are given a similar choice. We each have heard testimonies and witness of the Savior. We have felt the power as apostles of the Lord have spoken to us. We have felt peace as we read the words of prophets past who testified of the Savior and of His atoning power. The choice we have is to believe upon the words of others, or to go and seek Him for ourselves. If we lack the faith to believe on the Lord, we should at least go and see for ourselves if what we hear is true. This personal witness will come as we kneel to the Lord and seek for His guidance and witness.

May we each, whether weak or strong in our faith, believe upon the words of prophets and apostles past and present and go and seek this Jesus who is great and mighty to save.

Holy Week: What was crucifixion like?

Crucifixion was one of the most dreaded and painful forms of execution in ancient times. Thousands of crucifixions were performed by the Romans, the most famous of course being Jesus Christ. Yet, because almost all depictions of Jesus on the cross were painted centuries later, our image of the death of Christ is in many ways incorrect. Understanding Jesus' death, though gruesome and painful in nature, can help us better understand the incredible love that the Savior has for us because of what he was willing to endure.

Crucifixion was often first preceded with the painful process of flogging or scourging, as is the case of Jesus. The scouring was done to physically weaken the condemned person, accentuating the already painful process of crucifixion. The whip, or flagrum, was made of strips of leather fastened to a handle, with broken glass, nails, bone, and lead weights fastened to the end of the strips. The flagrum was designed to rip through the flesh, tearing skin and muscle from the bone. The powerful symbol of the sacrament bread, which represents Christ flesh, being torn apart, is an apt reminder of the scourging that Jesus endured on our behalf.

Once flogged, the convicted person was made to carry his own cross through the city till they arrived at the place of execution. Unlike most depictions showing Jesus carrying an entire cross, the condemned man instead would actually only carry the cross piece. This was because of the incredible weight of a full cross, and because wood was such a scarce resource that it was common to use an already existing tree, or permanent post as the base of the cross. The fact that Jesus may have been crucified on a living tree, brings beauty to the title of Jesus as the Tree of Life.

The gospels tell us that Jesus was crucified at "a place called Golgotha" from the Hebrew word meaning skull, most likely referring to a knoll or small hill, shaped like a bare skull. Today in Jerusalem there are two main traditional locations for Golgotha, the hill top in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Skull Hill, just outside Damascus gate.

The first location was chosen by Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, in about 325 AD, because of several earlier traditions that marked this as the place. Today, the hill is located within this enormous church under slabs of stone, with only portions of the original hill visible behind sheets of glass. Interestingly, it because of this church, with its steep steps that lead up to the traditional place of crucifixion, that we so often see paintings and film depicting the crosses on top of a hill. However, Rome did not generally crucify on the tops of hills away from onlookers, but instead, right next to the main roads and gates of the city. Crosses were also much shorter then normally depicted, so as to bring their victims as low as possible placing them almost at eye level with onlookers. This was so that all who passed by would vividly see the consequences of opposing Rome.

The other traditional site, Skull Hill or Gordon's Calvary, was identified only about 175 years ago. It was chosen because of the hill's remarkable resemblance to a skull, and because of its close proximity to an ancient tomb, now known as the Garden Tomb. It was also identified because in the Law of Moses animals were to be killed on the north side of the altar of sacrifice. With this hill, being north of the Temple, and in a continuation of the same mount where the Temple stood, the place seemed to be an apt location for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

In 1968, several tombs were discovered in Jerusalem dating to the time of Jesus. Within one tomb they found a stone ossuary, or bone box, with a nail driven through the ankle bone of the buried man. This find is extremely significant, as it is the only known archaeological find of a crucified person. Experts were able to learn several intriguing things from this discovery. First, the nail was not driven through the front of the foot, as is often depicted in art of Jesus, but instead through the side of the ankle, directly through the bone. This means that a separate nail was driven through each foot, with the feet straddling the cross, instead of in front. Archeologists were also surprised to find wood fragments on both sides of the ankle bone. This has led to the conclusion that the nail was first placed through a wood washer before being driven through the foot and cross. The washer would have prevented the victim, or family members from attempting to tear the body from the cross to avoid the excruciating pain of crucifixion.

Hanging on the cross, the victim would be forced to stand upon these nails driven through his ankles, alternating with holding his weight up through his outstretched nailed hands. This process was made all the more painful as the torn flesh on the back from scourging, would be pressed to the cross as they alternated between hanging from their hands, and standing on their feet. Victims were known to live for several days on the cross before dying, making Jesus' death after only a few hours, very unusual. It is believed that victims died from asphyxiation, or in other words the lack of air, caused from the sheer exhaustion of hanging on the cross.

The willingness for Jesus to die on the cross for us, in such a painful and agonizing way, teaches us of His incredible love. Jesus could have been killed by stoning, or by one of many other ways, but He instead chose to be crucified. He submitted to the most heinous and dreaded forms of death, so that He could understand and succor His people. None of us can claim that Jesus cannot fathom our sorrows, anguish and pains, for He has endured all things. Truly, as Isaiah so prophetically stated: "he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

The Anointing of Jesus by Mary and the Unnamed Woman

In the events of Holy Week, there are two different recorded occasions when a woman anoints either the feet or head of Jesus. Many scholars combine both events because of their similarities; however, by studying them as two separate events, we are able to learn of some powerful symbolism in the possible timing of these events. [1]

The first anointing, as recorded by John (John 12:1-8), took place on Saturday, six days before the Passover, in an unnamed home in Bethany by Mary, the sister to Martha and Lazarus wherein she anointed only the feet of Jesus. The second anointing, as recorded by Matthew and Mark (Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9), took place on Wednesday of Holy Week, two days before Passover, in the home of Simon the leper in Bethany by an unnamed woman who anointed only the head of Jesus. Both women used ointments valuing 300 or more pence, and both women were criticized by a disciple for their acts of service towards Jesus.

Chart comparing the two anointings (adapted from Brown, page 450)

To understand the significance of these anointings, we first must understand that the word Messiah in Hebrew, and Christ in Greek both mean ‘the anointed one.’ In other words, Jesus Christ would actually mean Jesus the anointed. [2] In the Old Testament, there were three groups of people referred to as being anointed, that of prophets, priests, and kings.

By following the chronology of John and placing the anointing on Saturday, it may be that John was trying to foreshadow how Jesus, being anointed the day before the triumphal entry, was symbolically being anointed as the king of Israel. [3] Remember that one of the reasons it was so significant that Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey was because when Solomon was recognized as the king of Israel, he likewise rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (see 1 Kings 1:32-34). [4]

If we follow the chronology of Mark and Matthew and place the anointing by the unnamed woman on Wednesday, the day before his Last Supper, it may be that Mark and Matthew were trying to show that Jesus was being anointed as the great High Priest, who would intercede on our behalf as he entered the garden of Gethsemane. [5] The high priest wore a breastplate with 12 stones, and two shoulder stones engraven with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel representing that Israel was always to be near his heart, and that he was to carry the burdens of Israel upon his shoulders at all times (see Exodus 28:29 and 28:12). What a perfect description of Christ while in Gethsemane when he took our sins and sorrows upon himself.

It is also interesting to compare the anointings by the two women and the washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus during the Last Supper (see John 13:1-17). All three took place during a dinner. All three events are criticized; in the Gospel of John Judas criticizes Mary, in Matthew and Mark an unnamed disciple criticizes the woman, and in John during the Last Supper, Peter criticizes Jesus for washing the feet. I can’t help but wonder that if while Peter’s feet were washed, he thought back five days before of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. Perhaps he protested, in part, because he did not feel worthy to have a similar honor bestowed upon him.

Was there only one woman that anointed Jesus during Holy Week? We simply cannot tell from recorded scripture. [6] What we do know is that Mary, and perhaps this unnamed woman, will always be remembered for the incredible service they gave to their Lord and Master. A service, that perhaps, pointed to the Savior’s most often used title, that of Christ, the anointed one.

[1] See Eric Huntsman, God So Loved the World, page 133
[2] See Mashiach (Hebrew) and Christos (Greek) in Strong's Concordance
[3] Huntsman, page 133
[4] See Why would a king ride a donkey instead of a warhorse?
[5] Huntsman, page 133
[6] For an argument for only one woman anointing Jesus during Holy Week see Raymond E. Brown The Gospel According to John page 449-452

Phylacteries and Tassels

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their desire to obey the law only to be seen of men, rather than truly obeying God’s law for the purpose of serving others and becoming better people. Jesus says, “They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long” (Matthew 23:5 ESV).

The phylacteries refer to the command of the Lord given to Moses when he said, “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 11:18 ESV).

Modern-day tefillin (black) compared with ancient tefillin from Qumran

A phylactery, or tefillin in Hebrew, “is one of two leather boxes bound by a leather strap to the left hand and to the forehead during prayer and containing four scriptural passages (Exodus 13:1-10; 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21).” [1]  Each of these four passages commands Israel to bind the law to their heart and mind, symbolizing that the law should not just be route actions, but instead part of our very soul.

The head tefillin has four small compartments, each containing a scroll with one of the four passages of scripture mentioned, and is bound to the head to symbolize that the law of God is always on the forefront of our minds. “In the scriptures ... the forehead represents what a person’s thoughts dwell on and therefore what he loves or desires. ... For the same reason, the Mosaic high priest wore an engraved gold signet on his forehead that read ‘Holiness to the Lord’ (see Exodus 28:36-38). This was a reminder that his thoughts should always be holy, with the result that his actions would follow suit.” [2]

Modern-day tefillin showing the scroll compartments (head-left, arm-right)

The arm tefillin contains only one long scroll, with the four scriptural passages written one after another, and is bound so as to be near, or pointed towards, the heart, symbolizing that we do not just know the words of the law, but that the law has been revealed to our spirits through our heart. [3]   Modern arm tefillin are bound around the arm seven times, and also around the hand and middle finger, representing that the law is to proceed from our hearts, to our arms, down to our hands, becoming our actions in all that we do.

The fringes or ‘borders of their garments’ or tzitzit in Hebrew, refers to blue tassels tied to the four corners of their garments and were meant to be a constant reminder of God’s commandments. The Lord said unto Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, ... that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord” (Numbers 15:38-39).

It is significant to note that in condemning the Pharisees for their tefillin and tzitzit, the Lord does NOT condemn them for wearing them, or for even having larger tefillin or longer tzitzit than others! The reason he condemns the Pharisees is because they wear these “to be seen of men” (see Matthew 23:5)

Replica of a Dead Sea Scrolls tefillin compared to an ancient coin

I think this teaches us several valuable lessons. First, be slow to judge on things of outward appearance. If someone seems to be a certain way because of their clothing, the circumstances of their birth, upbringing, size of home, status of life, or whatever it may be, remember that even Jesus only judged men for what was in their hearts, not for their outer appearances.

Second, on a more personal level, we must be careful about the reasons we obey the laws of God, especially the more outward and noticeable laws, such as church attendance, honoring the Sabbath, or dress and grooming standards. Do we obey the laws of the Lord only so that others can see how good we are, or do we obey them because we truly have God’s law bound to our heart and mind?

I can’t help but wonder if God specifically gave us some of these more “outward” laws so that we can prove to Him that the law is actually more inward. To prove that the law is deeply rooted into our souls, and that we show our religion not just by what we wear or by how we look, but by how we love, serve and care about others. For this is the true purpose behind the law.

[1] Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament, page 48
[2] The Lost Language of Symbolism, page 39 (see Forehead)
[3] The Lost Language of Symbolism, page 45-47 (see Head and Heart)

Leaven and the Cleansing of the Temple

Just prior to Passover every Jewish family begins the process of cleansing their home of all leaven products. This ritual dates back to the time of the Exodus when the Israelites fled Egypt, who in their haste to leave captivity, did not have time to allow their dough to rise. To commemorate their haste, just prior to Passover, families scour their home until they have removed all traces of leaven. The Bible states, "seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life." (Deuteronomy 16:3). The seven days without leaven began the day after Passover, and was called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. [1]

Cleaning the home of all leaven products

This cleansing ritual also represented the importance of purifying our homes of all corruption and sin prior to celebrating this important feast in the presence of the Lord. Leaven, or what we would call today sourdough, was created by allowing a mixture of flour and water to ferment over several days. Over time the dough would begin to rise and bubble, helping to create a leaven start. This fermented dough was then added to more flour and water, left to rise, and then baked. Because only a small portion of leaven was needed to leaven an entire loaf of bread, it became a symbol of corruption because likewise, only a small portion of sin is needed to corrupt our entire soul. [2]

The timing of this cleaning is significant to the events of Holy Week, because at the same time that thousands of Jews were cleaning their homes of all leaven, Jesus entered his Father's house, the temple, and cleansed it from corruption. According to Mathew and Luke, the cleansing took place on Sunday, just following the triumphal entry (see Matthew 21:8-12). According to Mark, it took place the day after on Monday (see Mark 11:12, 15-19). How significant that Jesus would choose to cleanse his Father's house of the money changers and vendors, during the same period when all Jews would be cleansing their own homes.

"a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6)

Paul, seeing the connection between our own need to cleanse our souls, and the sanctifying power of Christ said, "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).

Let us this Holy Week determine to cleanse our lives of sin, and start anew, by accepting Christ the true Passover Lamb, and by seeking to follow his example in every way.

[1] The Feast of Unleavened Bread... Wait - Isn't it Passover?
[2] See Matthew 16:6 and 1 Corinthians 5:6