RE-surrection Week

Dark Saturday. 

That’s what it has always felt like for me. The day between the greatest sacrificial act in human history and RE-surrection. I can only imagine what the disciples and followers of Christ experienced today. But I know it had to feel dark, foreboding and hopeless.

Think about it, or better yet, feel about it. And start by imagining you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. Imagine you have spent three years traveling, laughing, marveling and trusting with this God Man. You went all in. You left your job and your family in the hope that this man from Galilee was God himself.

Dark Disciples

Now let’s go beyond the realization that you will be mocked my friends and foe alike for the rest of your life. Remember, all of them came from small towns where people have long memories. But an even more immediate terror would be that you would end up on a cross just like your hoped for Savior. They hid, dreading every knock on the door, listening to every plausible rumor. They went from the Son of God‘s right hand men to  laughingstock’s.

And worst of all, they not only lost their friend and Messiah, they now lost hope. I love Peter’s words: 

“After this, many of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?” 

Peter replied, Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life.” 

John 6:66,68 The Message

Hope Returning

The only still  point in a turning world had been crucified and was very clearly dead. They were without hope. “What a fool I’ve been” they must have said over and over. The loss of hope like this is one of the most disabling emotions humans can experience. 

So let’s just sit in that today. Feeling it gives us, I believe, a much deeper appreciation for the sky splitting joy of tomorrow. It helps us understand how their hearts must have exploded along with their heads on Easter morning. But today is dark as we await the sunrise. Thanks so much for feeling it with me.

Jon

My hand on the slab of rock said to be where Christ was placed after being taken down from the cross