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“Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.” (Matthew 27:59-61 NLT)
It is Saturday, that day that must have seemed endless to the disciples and others who mourned Jesus’ death. All of their hopes and dreams. Dashed. There would be no one to rescue them from the roman oppression. They were doomed forever.
I can relate. When my husband was first given medication for his Alzheimer’s, and after taking just one dose, he returned to being sweet and tender and kind, just like the man I had known for so many years. I even began to hope that maybe we would have many more years where I could manage his care at home. Imagine my total disappointment when out of the blue, he returned to his former, non-medicated behaviour. All of my hopes and dreams. Dashed. There would be no relief from the Alzheimer’s behaviours.
I suspect you can all relate as well. That prayed for job interview, and you weren’t offered the job. The cancer wellness check reveals a return of cancer. The peaceful resolution of your marriage broken in a moment of passion. The summer storm that took out your excellent crop of wheat.
I could go on.
The problem is, none of Jesus’ close friends and followers realized that Sunday was coming! Their tears, their fears, their worry, their grief was all for naught! Why? Because Sunday morning Jesus rose from the grave! They had hoped for an earthly king to deliver them from the roman oppression. What they got was far better: Deliverance from spiritual oppression! Deliverance from death! Eternal life!
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, there was great concern amongst the Jewish and Roman leaders. Even though it was the Sabbath, and not just any Sabbath, but the Sabbath of Passover, the Jewish leaders went to see Pilot: “They told him, ‘Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: “After three days I will rise from the dead.” So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.’” (Matthew 27:63-64 NLT).
Isn’t it interesting to note that Jesus’ followers mourned because they didn’t believe He would rise again, while Jesus’ enemies were busy taking precautions in case He did? They had more faith than Jesus’ followers!
Are you in a Saturday of life? If so, remember that Saturday so many years ago when Jesus’ body lay in a tomb. Remember that the tears and fears and worry and grief were all for nothing! Remember that God is at work in your story. He has a greater plan than you can even imagine, for: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT); and we also know that, “God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” (Eccl. 3:11a NLT)! Take that step in faith that was shown by Jesus’ enemies! Believe in Resurrection Sunday, when everything that you are going through will be turned into something beautiful!
Remember, tomorrow we commemorate Jesus’ resurrection. Have a blessed Easter!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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