Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/16/2011

Question
I have a question about what I heard in my church a few weeks ago.  It has been on my heart, & I am looking for the correct biblical answer.  
My church celebrates the Lords Supper once a year, on the Tuesday before Easter Sunday.  The reason I was told for this is, This was the day that Jesus celebrated it with His disciples.  I was also told that He was crucified on Weds. not Friday, because, weds. to Thurs, one day, Thurs. to Friday, 2nd day, Friday to sat. 3rd day.  The preacher also said that if this wasn't true or important would be likening it to taking cyanide from your medicine cabinet instead of aspirin, for a headache.
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Kathy

Answer
Hi Kathy,

Thank you for these questions.  I am sorry for my late response.  I will try to make this answer brief and to the point.  If you require more information, just ask in a follow up.  

Yes, I believe that Jesus was crucified on a wednesday.  The Bible says that the "Sign of Jonah" was pointing to the prophecy of Jesus death burrial and resurrection.  He was in the belly "three days and three nights".  The Jews viewed a day to have two parts, the evening (6:00 PM yo 6:00 AM  - hours... and the Morning 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM  12 hours.)  So three days is 3x12 = 36 and three nights is 3x12 = 36 for a total of 72 hours.  We know that early in the morning on the first day of the week the toumb was already empty.  Do the math... Jesus could not have been crucified on Friday.  There were two Sabbath days involved.  There was the Sabbath day that falls on any day the Passover starts (which in this case started Wednesday evening at 6:00)  and the regular Sabbath day on the Seventh day of the week Friday 6:00 pm - Saturday 6:00 PM.  So yes I believe Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday.

Now as to having the Lord's Supper on that particular day... the Bible says that we can celebrate it "as oft as ye do it".  The Bible does not give us a rock solid prescription as to when and how often.  Your pastor is the Shepherd over that local flock and you need to follow his leadership.  If that is when he feels before God you need to celebrate it... then so be it.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don