As we read the gospels’ accounts of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, the only mention of the day between Jesus’ death and the day the tomb is found empty is: “On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” (Luke 23:56)
What were the disciples and others thinking on that Saturday after Jesus is placed in the tomb? Did they believe what Jesus had said?
In Matthew, Jesus foretells his death and resurrection three times. “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.” (Matthew 20: 18 – 19)
Yet, as we read the accounts of the resurrection, we hear that when the angel tells the women that Jesus has been raised, they go “quickly with fear . . .” (Matthew 28:8). When the disciples saw him, “they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17)
If they believed Jesus, why would the women have “fear” and why would some disciples have doubts?
What are we thinking on this day after Jesus is crucified and put into the tomb? Do we rest and wait? Do we fully embrace what the resurrection will mean for us? Do we recognize the magnitude of this gift from God?
Jesus tells us: “. . . you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice.” (John 16:20) Are we ready to rejoice? Are we ready to respond to the gift of the resurrection with generosity?
God, our creator, we wait this day with no fear and no doubts. We know that you will raise Jesus from the dead. You have loved us so much that you gave up your son that we may have eternal life. We thank you for the joy that comes with the resurrection and for the joy that we have as we follow in his footsteps as your disciples. We wait to say together as tomorrow dawns, “Hallelujah, he is risen!” Be with us this day and always as we try to give as you have given and to love as your son taught us to love. It is in his holy name we pray. Amen.