Editor’s Note: This is a brief excerpt from Sunday’s Sermon, January 3rd, 2010 at Providence Church in Pensacola, Fl (CREC)
Why three days? Is it possible that this is a prefiguring of the resurrection of Christ on the third day? It appears to be the case. The early church fathers believed this[1] to be a clear reference to the resurrection. This parallels the context of the death of Christ. Just like Mary and Joseph in despair about the loss of their son, when our Lord Jesus was crucified and buried, the disciples and others were in great despair. They thought also that the cause of the King of Israel, the Consolation of the world was lost. But just as the disciples saw the Resurrected Messiah on the third day; Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple on the third day.
[1] Ed. Art Just Jr. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scriptures. Ambrose says: “It is a sign that he who was believed dead for our faith would rise again after three days from his triumphal passion and appear on his heavenly throne with divine honor.” Pg. 54.
