Did Christ rise at three a.m.?
Some believe that Jesus rose from the dead at three a.m. and explain it by saying that in ancient Jewish times three "days" was a manner of speech that could mean three 12-hour periods. If that's true and Jesus died at 3 p.m. on a Friday, then He would indeed have risen Easter morning at 3 a.m. Such a theory certainly has resonance with those who otherwise don't see three days involved in the situation (as stated in Matthew 27:63, when Jesus said, "After three days I will rise again"). They further cite this hour as a mystical time during which much a spiritual dynamic occurs. In the modern world it is this hour when satanic and other occult rituals often conclude (unleashing spirits), but on the positive side it is also a time that corresponds with the 3 p.m. hour of divine mercy (which is celebrated this coming Sunday). Whatever the reason (and whether there is any validity at all to such claims), we have previously cited the widespread phenomenon of people awakening to pray at 3 a.m. This is occurring among both Catholics and Protestants. Clearly it's a time to invoke divine mercy or engage in spiritual protection. We're not sure what the final answer is. Probably it is both. If it's indeed connected to the Resurrection, we would look at it as a representation of Christ's force in breaking the hold of darkness.