Saturday – When Everything Was Wrong

The whole world had been turned upside down in one day. Confusion, Disbelief, Fear, Heartbreak, Shock… were just a few of the emotions the disciples were feeling. What had gone wrong?  Jesus was their friend. Rabbi, healer, miracle worker, they had believed He was Messiah! Some of the men and women, faithful followers of Jesus, gathered together while others were in hiding. It was the Sabbath and there was nothing they could do.

Friday sin was as black as could be. Jesus had been beaten, battered and nailed to a cross. The same crowd that had welcomed Him with praise now jeered, mocked and spit on Him. Jesus had done nothing to deserve this.

They had just celebrated Passover together! Jesus washed their feet and talked about being servants of one another. He talked about a “new Covenant” and His blood shed for us…such odd sayings! He wanted us to pray together but we were so tired we fell asleep.  Judas betrayed our Lord! He was one of us, we trusted him, how could he? Peter wept bitterly because he watched Jesus as He was beaten and even denied knowing Him, just as Jesus had predicted. It couldn’t possibly be real – but they had watched with their own eyes as the soldiers nailed Him to a cross like a vile criminal! All their hopes and dreams in Jesus Messiah were destroyed. It was Saturday and everything was wrong.

Joseph, a righteous member of the Council, had taken Jesus’ body and laid it in his own tomb just before Sabbath began. Saturday was the blackest, saddest, most hopeless day.  Early the next morning a few women, who had loved Jesus dearly, gathered to go to the tomb and properly prepare His body for burial as was tradition.  There had been no time the night before and it was the least they could do. They wondered how they would move the stone sealing the grave and if the soldiers would give them grief.  But as they approached the burial site they were shocked to see the stone had already been rolled away….

An angel up on the tombstone  – said He has risen just as He said                                                               

Quickly now, go tell His disciples – that Jesus Christ is no longer dead! 

But then came Sunday!

We celebrate Easter because Jesus conquered sin and death, that is victory! He arose from the grave by HIS OWN ALMIGHTY POWER because HE IS LORD GOD!  Saturday was full of hopeless despair but instead we cry out with Joy-He is risen!  When the angels announced Jesus’ birth they announced “do not be afraid” and when Jesus met Mary at the tomb, He said, “do not be afraid”.

What does that mean for us my friends?  Jesus conquered the grave – if we have accepted Him as LORD and Savior – we have no fear of death. We’ve been given the promise of eternal life with Him. No matter what trials or circumstances we face – we can draw on His power knowing that nothing is impossible with God. When all seems hopeless – look to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into Joy!

 

 

Easter Song

Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing – that you can be born again!                                 

Hear the bells ringing they’re singing- Christ is risen from the dead!                                   

Joy to the world, He is risen, hallelujah – HALLELUJAH!