Plus a Tommy Mommy Giveaway featuring the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook!

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40

That time of year is fast approaching; the Feast of Passover is just under a couple of months away. My family loves this time of food and fellowship, but our favorite part is coming together in remembrance of Him.

“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to YHWH; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.” Exodus 12:14

As I was going over the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook I found so many things I loved about it. I loved the simple format and pleasant illustrations by Claudine Gevry; the rich vocabulary words and kid-friendly questions. The entire book is about the life of Yeshua (Jesus). It gives account of his life and death, his ministry and His parables. The back even includes maps of Israel and Jerusalem and a timeline of His life and ministry. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ve probably noticed my love and passion for word studies and learning more about our Hebrew roots as believers. I firmly believe that His Word contains all the answers we need. The author of the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook , Stephen Elkins, provides scripture references for each account. It is so important to always compare man’s writings with what is written in the Word.

So there I was, thumbing through the stories, looking for one to go with our new Unit study for homeschool—a study of Passover. Then I found it! On page 116 there is an entry entitled “When was Jesus Raised from the dead?”. Important words and key phrases in the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook have been emphasized in colorful, bold letters to make it easy for you, the parent, to point out something highlighted in Scripture. On page 116 of the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook, the following words are in bold, purple letters:

“Three Days After Jesus died”

The Word tells us that only one sign would be given and it was the sign of Jonah. Three days and three nights, or seventy-two hours, our Savior would be in the “heart of the earth”. There are not three days and three nights from Friday to Sunday—the math just doesn’t add up.

So, when did Yehsua (Jesus) actually die?

An important key phrase in John’s account clears it right up for us:

“Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would 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.” John 19:31

When we read “day of Preparation” our minds automatically think “Friday” since that is the day spent preparing for the Sabbath day (Saturday). But wait, what does the verse say? That day was a high Sabbath day, not speaking of Saturday, but the day following Passover, or the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

“And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.” Leviticus 23:6-7

We know Yeshua (Jesus) had to die on Passover because He was the Passover Lamb.

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” 1 Corinthians 5:7

Scripture truly gives us all the answers we need. To summarize:

1. One sign would be given—three days and three nights

2. Yehsua died on Passover—the day of Preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread

3. If the tomb was empty on Sunday morning, this means He most likely died Wednesday afternoon and was buried Wednesday evening.

The Biblical calendar measures a day from evening to evening. If He was in “the heart of the earth” three days and three nights, as He said He would be, Yeshua (Jesus) probably rose Saturday evening, rendering the tomb empty when Mary went to it on the first day of the week “when it was still dark”. (John 20:1)

I have been learning so much from my studies of the Word. I hope and pray what I have shared with you from my own study will encourage you. Dig in and discover the answers that lie in the amazing pages of the Bible. It really is the greatest story ever told!

More about Stephen Elkins and the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook…

My experience with Stephen Elkins’ children’s books has been a special one. His LullaBible was of great comfort to me and my youngest when we spent several days in the hospital last winter. My oldest just loves his book Bible Stories that End With a Hug (she’s the biggest love bug you’ll ever meet). Stephen shares Scripture and the Creator’s love for us, particularly for children, in a very unique and personal way. I have gone to his books and stories time and time again. I highly recommend him as an author and hope you will give the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook  a try. My girls are really enjoying it, just as I enjoy reading it to them.

The Giveaway…

Time for another Tommy Nelson Mommy giveaway! Enter via the Rafflecopter for your chance to win a copy of the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook  through Friday, February 28^th. One random winner will be chosen and announced in my monthly newsletter (so be sure to sign up in the sidebar). I will also announce the winner here on my blog at the beginning of March.

[box] What has our amazing Creator showed you recently in your study of the Word? I love hearing from you! Until then, happy reading![/box]

Yours in Messiah Yeshua,

S

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Disclosure:

I received a copy of the Jesus and Me Bible Storybook  through the Tommy Nelson Mommy Program. I was not asked to write a positive review. All views and opinions are solely and completely my own. I received no compensation other than a print copy of the book featured in this post, which is mine to keep or gift as I so choose. This post also contains affiliate links. To learn more, please read my full policy.

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