The Eighth Day

By Pastor Chad

Read: Matthew 28:1-20

The somewhat precarious theologian, Rudolf Bultmann, famously wrote, “If the bones of the dead Jesus were discovered in some Palestinian tomb tomorrow, all the essentials of Christianity would remain unchanged.”  

That is a strange statement. There is no more sacred belief in all of Christianity than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the linchpin and hinge of the entire plan of redemptive history. It is the climax of all Scripture. And it is the event upon which all Christians place their hope. In fact, Paul claimed in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Jesus be not raised from the dead, then our preaching is in vain and we of all men are to be the most pitied.”

Matthew records that “after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb” (Matthew 28:1). The women went to Jesus’ tomb early on Sunday to complete the burial process left unfinished on Friday. The women were unable to perform the ritual on the day of Christ’s death, because from a Jewish perspective, the day started at sunset. And it was against the Mosaic law to touch anything unclean on the Sabbath. Therefore, the women could not wrap Jesus in spices on Friday because he was removed from the cross too late in the day.

Every gospel writer records that the women went to the tomb very early. Matthew says “toward the dawn.” Mark says “when the sun had risen.” Luke says “at early dawn.” And John records that it “was still dark.” It is like the New Testament writers are trying to tell us a new day has dawned for mankind. In fact, early Christians used the resurrection event to develop not only their understanding of human history but their understanding of cosmic history. 

As you might know, in the creation account given in Genesis 1, the seventh day–the day God rested–never ends. For every other day, there is evening and morning, but not for the seventh day. When one considers the crucifixion and creation narrative together, it is telling that just as God rested on the seventh day, Jesus also “rested” on the seventh day–in the tomb. The resurrection had such an impact on cosmic history that the day after the seventh day became known by early Christians as the eighth day.  

And it not only fulfilled the plan put in place since before the foundations of the earth, but it shifted the Sabbath for all Christians. Now, ever since the beginning of Christianity, Christians gather every single Sunday, the first day of the week, in honor and veneration of the day cosmic history changed.

•••

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the resurrection. Thank you for new life. Thank you for the eighth day.