Good Wednesday NOT Good Friday

I've posted this essay before but I think it's important to post it again because it shows that church tradition is not always correct when it does not jibe with Biblical teaching.

Was Jesus Really Three Days and Three Nights in the Heart of the Earth?

By R.A. Torrey (1856-1928)

In the twelfth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus is reported as saying, “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:40). According to the commonly accepted tradition of the church, Jesus was crucified on Friday, dying at 3 PM, or somewhere between 3 PM and sundown, and was raised from the dead very early in the morning of the following Sunday. Many readers of the Bible are puzzled to know how the interval between late Friday afternoon and early Sunday morning can be figured out to be three days and three nights. It seems rather to be two nights, one day, and a very small portion of another day.
The solution proposed by many commentators to this apparent difficulty, is that “a day and a night” is simply another way of saying, “a day,” and the ancient Jews reckoned a fraction of a day as a whole day. So they say there was a part (a very small part) of Friday (or a day and a night), all of Saturday, another day (or a day and a night); and part of Sunday (a very small part), another day (or a day and a night). There are many persons whom this solution does not altogether satisfy, and I confess it does not satisfy me at all. It seems to me to be a makeshift, and a very weak makeshift. Is there any solution that is altogether satisfactory? There is.
The first fact to be noticed in the proper solution is that the Bible nowhere says or implies that Jesus was crucified and died on Friday. It is said that Jesus was crucified on “the day before the Sabbath” (Mark 15:42). As the Jewish weekly Sabbath came on Saturday (beginning at sunset the day before), the conclusion is naturally drawn that, since Jesus was crucified the day before the Sabbath, He must have been crucified on Friday.
However, it is a well-known fact, to which the Bible bears abundant testimony, that the Jews had other Sabbaths besides the weekly Sabbath that fell on Saturday. The first day of the Passover week, no matter upon what day of the week it came, was always a Sabbath (Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:7; Numbers 28:16-18). The question therefore arises whether the Sabbath that followed Christ’s crucifixion was the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) or the Passover Sabbath, falling on the fifteenth day of Nisan, which came that year on Thursday.
Now, the Bible does not leave us to speculate which Sabbath is meant in this instance; for John tells us in so many words, in John 19:14, the day on which Jesus was tried and crucified was “the preparation of the Passover” (italics added). In other words, it was not the day before the weekly Sabbath (that is, Saturday), but it was the day before the Passover Sabbath, which came that year on Thursday- that is to say, the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified was a Wednesday. John makes this as clear as day.
The gospel of John was written later than the other Gospels, and scholars have for a long time noticed that in various places there was an evident intention to correct false impressions that one might get from reading the other Gospels. One of these false impressions was that Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples at the regular time of the Passover. To correct this false impression, John clearly states that He ate it the evening before, and that He Himself died on the cross at the very moment the Passover lambs were being slain “between the two evenings” on the fourteenth day of Nisan. (See Exodus 12:6 in the Hebrew, and the Revised Version margin.)
God’s real Paschal Lamb, Jesus, of whom all other paschal lambs offered through the centuries were only types, was therefore slain at the very time appointed by God. Everything about the Passover Lamb was fulfilled in Jesus. First, He was a Lamb without blemish and without spot (Exodus 12:5). Second, He was chosen on the tenth day of Nisan (Exodus 12:3); for it was on the tenth day of the month, the preceding Saturday, that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was made.
We know this because He came from Jericho to Bethany six days before the Passover (John 12:1). That would be six days before Thursday, which would be Friday. Furthermore, it was on the next day that the entry into Jerusalem was made (John 12:12 and following), that is, on Saturday., the tenth day of Nisan. It was also on this same day that Judas went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:6-16 and Mark 14:3-11). As it was after the supper in the house of Simon the leper, and as the supper occurred late on Friday or early on Saturday, after sunset, after the supper would necessarily be on the tenth of Nisan. This being the price set on Him by the chief priests, it was, of course, the buying or taking to them of a lamb, which according to law must occur on the tenth day of Nisan. Furthermore, they put the exact value on the Lamb that Old Testament prophecy predicted (Zechariah 11:12 and Matthew 26:15).
Third, not a bone of Him was broken when he was killed (John 19:36; Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20). And fourth, He was killed on the fourteenth of Nisan, between the evenings, just before the beginning of the fifteenth day, at sundown (Exodus 12:6). If we take just exactly what the Bible says, that Jesus was slain before the Passover Sabbath, the type is marvelously fulfilled in every detail; but if we accept the traditional theory that Jesus was crucified on Friday, the type fails at many points.
Furthermore, if we accept the traditional view that Jesus was crucified on Friday and ate the Passover on the regular day of Passover, then the journey from Jericho to Bethany, which occurred six days before the Passover (John 12:1), would fall on a Saturday- that is the Jewish Sabbath. Such a journey on the Jewish Sabbath would be contrary to Jewish law.
Of course, it was impossible for Jesus to take such a journey on the Jewish Sabbath, because His triumphal entry into Jerusalem was on the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday. This was altogether possible, for the Bible elsewhere tells us that Bethany was a Sabbath’s day journey from Jerusalem (Acts 1:12 and Luke 24:50).
It has also been figured out by the astronomers that in the year A.D. 30, which is the commonly accepted year for the crucifixion of our Lord, the Passover was observed on Thursday, April 6, the moon being full that day.

SNMR 7.29: "Surrogates"

GREEN'S NOW YOU CAN GET THE BODY YOU ALWAYS WANTED REVIEW:

The crime rate is down, murders are a thing of the past and people are living longer and looking better. Has humanity reached its long desired Utopian society? Nah. Life is this way because no one leaves their house any more; everyone has a surrogate to do their living for them. The surrogates are controlled by their users' mind, while they are sitting in a special chair.

When the son of the inventor of surrogacy is murdered, it's up to Detective Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) and his partner Peters (Radha Mitchell) to solve the case. Greer winds up getting his surrogate destroyed and has to venture into the outside world to search for clues.

I'll admit that when this movie was playing in the theater last year I had wanted to go see it. I'm glad I didn't. I really wanted to like this movie a whole lot more. I really did.

Surrogates is a film (much like Jumper) that had so much potential but failed to meet it even half way. Sure, Bruce Willis is a fine actor and can carry a film with the best of them - most of the time. For the most part, the acting in this film was flat and uninspiring, even by Willis himself.

The action sequences are workman-like, such as they are. Director Johnathan Mostow, as good as he was at the helm of Terminator 3, just doesn't have a good enough story to work with here. The script is bland and full of holes, as there are several areas where we are left wanting more. We're left virtually no information on the inventor of the surrogates (James Cromwell) or any background on the rebel leader (Ving Rhames) or why there are groups of people who are against the surrogates or any use of machines or technology. This movie is a poor man's I, Robot with all of the missing filler plot details and a lot less action. Makes me wonder what was left on the cutting room floor.

*½ out of *****

Surrogates (2009, PG-13, 89 minutes), starring Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, James Cromwell, Ving Rhames and Boris Kodjoe. Graphic Novel written by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele. Screenplay by Michael Ferris and John Brancato. Directed by Jonathan Mostow.

Three strikes and yer out!!

It is becoming known as the curse of the Best Actress Oscar winner. Soon, no married woman will want to win this award. It may be just a coincidence but then again, maybe not.

Now, a third woman has come forward who claims she had sexual relations with Sandra Bullock's husband, Jesse James, according to this article.

Even James' ex-wife is calling him a 'chronic cheater'.

C'mon, Jesse - Sandra may not be the best looking woman out there, but she's no dog!! And she had your back while you apparently were sleeping with three someones behind hers.

Loser. x3.

Robert Culp (1930-2010)

Long time television actor Robert Culp died today near his home in Los Angeles. He was 79.

Culp is best remembered for his role as Kelly Robinson on the groundbreaking television series I Spy which ran for three seasons, from 1965-1968. I Spy co-starred Bill Cosby, who considered Culp a lifelong friend.

Coincidentally, just last weekend I purchased the three seasons of I Spy at BJ's for a cool $30. Now I'm looking forward to watching it even more.

Personally, I best remember Culp as FBI Agent Bill Maxwell on the television series The Greatest American Hero, which ran from 1981-1986 and later as the President in the movie The Pelican Brief.

Here's the obituary I found on AP & Yahoo News and another from comicmix.com.

SNMR 7.28: "Crossing Over"

GREEN'S ILLEGAL ID'S FOR EVERYONE!! REVIEW:

Crossing Over is a multi-character canvas about immigrants of different nationalities struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles. The film deals with the border, document fraud, the asylum and green card process, work-site enforcement, naturalization, the office of counter terrorism and the clash of cultures.

This film takes a hard look at the US Immigration and Naturalization Service and the various law enforcement officers who have these interesting but trying jobs. At the same time, the film takes a look at immigrants of various nationalities and the problems they face struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles and what they face if caught and the consequences.

Like so many films these days there are many characters and many different story arcs, all of which are connected in some way, even if loosely. This is a film that does not have an even ending. Some of the arcs end negatively, others positively.


I would like to think that the US Government isn't as harsh as portrayed in the movie, splitting up families and all, as we are supposed to be a compassionate country, but after 9/11 I suppose you do what need requires you to do. The most moving scene to me was toward the end when many immigrants are sworn in as brand spanking new American citizens - with the promise that this country doesn't guarantee you success but will provide every opportunity to be successful, as long as laws are obeyed, etc.

Crossing Over is an expansion of a short film writer director Wayne Kramer did in 1996. In that short film, Jaqueline Obradors played Mireya. In this movie she plays Special Agent Phadkar. Kramer, as is usually the case when the writer and director are the same person, knows his material and what he wants to accomplish with it.

The ensemble cast is headlined by Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd. It's a diverse group but all of the performances are excellent.

I believe that this is a brief but realistic portrayal of the way the system works and I can tell that this is a job I'd have a hard time doing. This is the kind of film that I'd have trouble watching multiple times but will eventually own it because I have most of Harrison Ford's other movies on DVD.

For some reason I found this review hard to write, but you do what you must. So I did. The library DVD I watched didn't skip but did freeze in a few places due to scratches on the disc which is always annoying. The DVD also was without any extras, which I was disappointed not to see. Despite those minor issues, this is a very thought provoking film and well worth a rental.

***½ out of *****

Crossing Over (2009, R, 113 minutes), starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Jim Sturgess, Cliff Curtis, Alice Braga, Alice Eve and Jacqueline Obradors. Written and Directed by Wayne Kramer.

Spring's the Thing!!

Winter's do-one... winter's do-one!! La-la-la-la-a-a-a!!

That's right people, today is the first official day of Spring!! Woo-hoo. It officially started at 13:32 EDT today!! Today the thermometer hit 70 F and it was a simply gorgeous day. Of course, this is New England in March, so naturally the television weather folks are predicting snow on Tuesday. How much or where will get the most I don't know as I haven't actually listened to the forecast.

Spring!!!

Gotta love it!

I hate hearing about stuff like this

Marriage is hard enough as it is. Magnify it by 1,000 and you have the pressures that come with a "Hollywood marriage."

When a seemingly happy and stable Hollywood marriage falls apart - one you don't read about in the tabloid magazines - it's especially sad. Seven years is a lifetime in Hollywood.

So when I read this about one of my favorite actresses and her director husband, I was saddened.

I have no idea what the issues are in their relationship, but I sincerely hope that they can work it out, not only for themselves but for their son and her daughter.

Peter Graves (1926-2010)

Four days shy of his 84^th birthday, Peter Graves died yesterday of apparently natural causes. He leaves behind a wife of 59 years and three daughters.

The original Mission Impossible was a great television series and I can remember watching some of the episodes in syndication when I was a kid. I remember that he was a guest star in an episode of the television show "Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century." Of course, he played the pilot in the Airplane movies. Most of all I remember his narration of the A&E show (59 episodes) "Biography" which he did from 1994-2006.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Phelps.

Daylight Savings Time again!

Did you forget to change your clocks last night before you went to sleep? If you did then you are an hour late for whatever it is you wanted to do today.

Daylight Savings time officially began at 02:00 this morning.

I love it when we change the clocks one hour ahead every spring and wouldn't mind seeing it become a year round thing.

Arizona is currently the only state that remains on Standard time year round. Those bums aren't gonna mess it up for the rest of us!

Next week: Spring begins!

SNMR 7.27: "Yes Man"

GREEN'S MAKE... ME... BELIEVE... IT! REVIEW:

Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) is the true definition of a loner. Living his life but not living his life to the fullest. That is until his friend Nick (John Michael Higgins) tells him about Terrence (Terrence Stamp), a self help guru whose theme is Yes, Yes, YES!! When Carl makes a covenant to say yes instead of no, good things begin to happen - he meets a girl, gets a promotion at work and really starts to enjoy life.

This film could otherwise be called Liar Liar 2 because it's the same basic premise as the superior 1997 Carrey movie Liar, Liar. This, to me, is clearly not Carrey's best movie. True, there are some funny sequences in the movie but not enough to make up for the rest of it. There are some good performances. Bradley Cooper, whose career took off after his role on Alias. Zooey Deschanel is charming as usual. John Michael Higgins brings his usual energy to his limited role. However the best performance comes from newcomer Rhys Darby as Carl's bank boss Norman.

I've not read Danny Wallace's book, so can't say how closely the movie follows, but it seems to me like a weak script and that's never good. Peyton Reed's direction is fine, given the material. I enjoyed his previous two feature films as Director in Down With Love and The Break Up.

The DVD has both the full screen and wide screen versions on either side of the disc, which I can't stand, and no extras.

If you passed on seeing this movie, you wouldn’t miss much.

** out of *****

Yes Man (2008, PG-13, 104 minutes), starring Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby and Terrence Stamp. Based on the novel by Danny Wallace. Screenplay by Andrew Mogel, Jarrad Paul and Nicholas Stoller. Directed by Peyton Reed.

Corey Haim (1971-2010)

From KABC in Los Angeles:

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Actor Corey Haim died at the age of 38 early Wednesday morning.

According to the LAPD, Haim had been staying with his mother in North Hollywood, and the death appears to have been accidental. Haim was taken to St. Joseph's hospital in Burbank, and the hospital called LAPD at 3:40 a.m. to notify them that Haim had died of an apparent overdose.

Haim broke into the film industry in 1984 as a child actor. He starred in movies such as "Lucas" with Charlie Sheen, but his breakthrough role came with his 1987 film "Lost Boys."

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Here's the story from the Associated Press and from omg! yahoo.
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I never like to hear of someone younger than myself die. That's just weird to me.

If Corey Haim did indeed die of a drug overdose, I would not be surprised, since he is/was an admitted drug user. As I read elsewhere, an autopsy will be performed to determine the actual cause of death. We'll see in a few weeks what the official word is.

I will say that I absolutely loved The Lost Boys which came out in 1987. It is a vampire movie that came out in the era before vampire movies were in vogue.

I was surprised to see on his IMDb page that he had been working regularly, where I had thought his career flamed out in the 1990's as many child stars careers seem to do.

SNMR 7.26: "The International"

GREEN'S MEETING YOUR DESTINY ON THE ROAD YOU TOOK TO AVOID IT REVIEW:

Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring down the IBBC - the International Bank of Business and Commerce, a global financial institution that is hip deep in illegal activities like money laundering, arms trading, financing terror organizations and the destabilization of governments leading to greed, corruption and murder. But if they take down the people responsible, will others rise to take their place?

This is a film that was suggested to me that I watch while it had its theatrical run in 2009. But I never got around to it and knew that I'd want to watch it once it came out on DVD.

The story takes place in Berlin, Milan, New York and Istanbul, showing clearly the global community that our world has become in the last twenty-five years and what a monumental and seemingly overwhelming task it is for one or two individuals to take on world based corporate corruption.

Clive Owen is superb as the intense but out of shape detective. I had heard or read somewhere that Naomi Watts, as an equally intense New York DA, was the weak link in the cast but I did not find that to be the case. I thought her performance was excellent, keeping up with the boys. The supporting cast is also excellent, especially Armin Mueller- Stahl as the dignified link to the older generation of corruption.

I don't recall seeing any of German director Tom Tykwer's previous work, but judging from this movie, he's got a good sense of what the action/thriller genre is all about. Tykwer works well with writer Eric Singer, whose screenplay is taut and has a good pace to it, especially for his first feature length film writing credit.

There are several extras included on the DVD which were impressive and worth watching.

The movie has a run time of just under two hours, a perfect length. I found it to be an above average action/thriller, filled with intense action and edge of your seat suspense. Rent this DVD or buy it because it's definitely worth your while.

**** out of *****

The International (2009, R, 118 minutes), starring Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueler-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen and Brian F. O'Byrne. Screenplay by Eric Singer. Directed by Tom Tykwer.