Ex. 12:6; Matt. 26:17 -27:61; Mark 14:12-15:47; Luke 22:7-23:56: John 13:1-19:42.
EXO 12:6MAT 26:17MAT 27:61MAR 14:12MAR 15:47LUK 22:7LUK 23:56JOH 13:1JOH 19:42
“The evening and the morning were the first day." Gen. 1:5 tells us. and this mode of reckoning time prevails throughout the Old Testament, and retains its place in the New also, as the above passages plainly indicate to us. From twelve to twelve is how we reckon our time. The Jewish day was from six to six of our time, and commenced at six p.m.
This prefatory observation is the key to the order of events that took place on the most eventful day that this world ever saw or will see.
It was "the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover," that Christ our Passover sat down "at even" with His disciples. The day had commenced and the memorial of Israel's redemption from Egypt was partaken of by Him who effected that redemption. Before many hours were over, in His own person. He was to fulfill the act which that redemption had so long and plainly pointed to. It doubtless took some time to prepare the meal and after it was partaken of, (supper being ended, John 13:2,) the washing of the disciples' feet took place. We learn this from John 13. Therefore, we are not surprised to find that night had set in when Judas left the supper room (verse 30.).
The blessed instruction of John 13:31 to 14:31 follows. Then "arise, let us go hence," tells us that the supper room was left by all, and on the way the truths of chapters 15 to 17 are unfolded. Thus the night wore on, and now the Mount of Olives was reached; Jesus prayed while the sorrowful disciples slept. "What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?" gives us a clue to the duration of the prince of this world's temptation, though those words were uttered after the Lord's first return to His disciples. Presently the "lanterns and torches" tell us that darkness still prevailed.
He took the martyr's place, presently to exchange it for the victim's, and as a lamb to the slaughter He was led into the high priest's house. Here He was for some time detained; because "about the space of one hour" elapsed between the last two occasions when Peter's faith was tested (Luke 22:59). But at length the crow of the cock that awakened poor Peter's conscience bore its testimony that the morning was approaching. "As soon as it was day" He was arraigned before the chief priests and elders.
Brief indeed was their mock trial, for "when the morning was come" He was brought before Pontius Pilate the governor. With sad rapidity He was tried, sent to Herod, returned, tried again, and condemned to death. At the third hour (Mark 15:25)—nine o'clock our time—He was nailed to the accursed tree. Till twelve noon, by our reckoning, He occupied the martyr's place, and then became the victim. How blessedly able He was thus to sympathize with those who are made conformable to His death! "When the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour." Nature veiled her face in sympathy. God and Jesus must go into the question of sin alone. The doom of the earth was sealed. This darkness tells us these things.
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama Sabachthani, which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" All was now over. The cup of wrath was drained to the dregs, and Jesus passed into Paradise, to be with His Father until the moment for His resurrection arrived.
Yet three hours of this eventful day remained for the interment of His body. "When the even was come" (Mark 15:42), Joseph of Arimathea begged the body from the governor, and laid Him in the sepulcher. Thus these twenty-four hours of unequaled importance closed, and the Sabbath day followed. Well may we pause and worship as again and again we trace its eventful history! D. Grimston