Jesus the Passover Lamb Hung on a Cross

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” Matthew 23:23.

Jesus was perhaps the greatest victim of this type of behavior but also benefitted from it. I submit two negative examples and one positive.

The Jews would not deliver Jesus into the home of the Roman Pontius Pilate because to enter the home of a Gentile would make them violate Law and become “unclean” and in so doing not be able to participate in the Jewish Passover rite.

Never mind that they were also filthy and unclean for murdering an innocent man… Jesus Christ.

The Jews would not leave Jesus’ dead body on the Cross overnight because in doing so it would violate Jewish Law which stated that the Land would be cursed if a dead man were left dead and hung on a cross over night (Perhaps especially on the Passover)

Never mind that the Land and people would be cursed for murdering the Son of God.

Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus Christ and in handling Jesus dead body became “unclean” (according to the Law) and would not have been able to participate in the holiest of day in Judea… The Passover.

The first two instances involved God’s people who were careful to observe the most insignificant parts of the Law (by comparison) while violating two of the most significant parts of it… murder and Blasphemy.

Even though Joseph of Arimathea became unclean for handling a dead body he will forever be remembered and honored for taking care of Jesus’ dead but precious body. And even if the cost was not being able to participate in one Passover celebration the cost was worth the price.