WHAT ABOUT SATURDAY?

WHAT ABOUT SATURDAY?

(Note:  I realize that the days of the events of the crucifixion and resurrection have been debated, but for this post, I want to go with the crucifixion being on Friday and the resurrection on Sunday. And allow me the liberty to use my imagination a little… )

All the focus during the Easter season is on Friday’s crucifixion and Sunday’s resurrection, but I wonder, “What was happening on Saturday with the disciples of Christ?”   What were they experiencing emotionally in this “pit” they found themselves in?  Disappointment, despair, fear, confusion, sorrow, hopelessness, and grief all fought for the chance to darken their minds and make them disbelieve all the promises that Jesus had made as he walked with them daily. 

They were confused because Christ had told them He would rise on the 3^rd day.  But He had also said He would establish a Kingdom and He had not.  Oh how they wanted to be rid of Roman oppression and He had not taken care of that for them.  They were frightened and  perhaps they were all meeting together on that Saturday, hiding in fear that the Roman soldiers would find them at any moment and drag them away to be beaten, or worse, crucified, because they were Christ’s followers.  They were following this man that leaders (even religious leaders) had labeled “heretic” and “false prophet.”  For them to be so angry with Jesus as to punish and crucify Him as they did, they would think nothing of punishing or killing His followers. 

They were sad because Jesus had become such a friend and companion to them and now they had lost their true Friend and Teacher. Their grief was almost unbearable as they reminisced about all the wonderful and amazing times as they had gone from place to place with Him and watched Him perform miracle after miracle.  And then He would take the time to draw them aside and personally share the great mysteries of the gospel.  Oh, how could He be gone from them now??

Perhaps one of the disciples would say, “Remember, He said if they destroy His temple, He will raise it up in three days.  Do we really think this can happen?”  Another would say, “That’s just too hard to comprehend.  But you know, we saw the Savior raise people from the dead all the time.  Remember Lazarus?”  Maybe another would ask, “How will He ever establish a Kingdom now?  The rulers and leaders and thousands of people now believe He was a heretical leader and so He can not rise up and overthrow the Roman government!  Even if He did rise from the grave, He would have no power here! And we will all surely be killed if we even try to follow Him now.”  Oh, they were so confused!  And rightly so.  I can feel their anguish.  I can sense the lack of faith at this point.

The disciples had not yet experienced the outpouring of the Holy Ghost – that infilling Spirit that would give them wisdom and power.  And faith and hope.  Oh, if they could just have seen a few weeks into the future!  This “Saturday” was dark and gloomy and hopeless, but OH, SUNDAY was coming!!

Sometimes  we may find ourselves on a “Saturday” in our walk with Christ.  We’ve been following Him, serving in His Kingdom, seeing miracles, doing what we consider to be “His will.”  Then, all of a sudden, we are thrust into a dark place.  It seems as though our Best Friend, our Confidante, our Healer, and our Teacher,  is gone into hiding.  We pray, but our confusion, doubts, and disappoint all seem to block our view of a loving Christ that we previously walked hand-in-hand with.  We find ourselves in puddles of tears and can’t see anything but darkness and gloom.   BUT WAIT…  Your SUNDAY is coming!

Get up early!  Run to the tomb!  Get on the Road to Emmaus!  Climb to the Upper Room!  Cast aside your worries and anxieties and embrace the Risen Savior. Touch His hands and His feet – feel the nail scars and wounds from the sacrifice He made for you. Allow the light from the open tomb to illuminate those dark places of fear and anxiety!  Let His Spirit bathe your soul with joy hope and peace! Be glad that you don’t have to live in the “Saturday” of your life, because while you’ve been in the “pit,” He has been working on your behalf all the while!   

REJOICE IN ADVANCE – SUNDAY IS COMING!!