Holy Saturday - Fear and Hope

As you look at the gospels it seems that none of Jesus' followers really understood the reality of what was going to happen on Easter morning. Sure, Jesus had mentioned his resurrection but like us, they were a little hard of hearing.

I can't imagine the fear, confusion and anger they must have felt. They had followed this man for 3 years and seen him do the unthinkable. He turned water into wine, he calmed the storm, he healed the sick and yes, even raised the dead. What went wrong?

The disciples were even fearful for their own life. The women (the brave ones) wanted to prepare the body but rested because it was the Sabbath. As they observed the Sabbath they didn't realize that on the first day of week they would encounter the Lord of the Sabbath.

If I were one of the disciples I'm sure I would have responded the same way, but today as we reflect on the silence of the tomb we don't experience fear but hope. We know Sunday's coming and as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus it seals the deal. "The wrath of God is satisfied".

And here is our hope...

1 Cor 15:20-22

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

1 Cor 15:54-57

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

55 "Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We who already know the end of the story don't have to live in fear, we live in hope. That although the world is broken and death still happens, Jesus conquered death and we know we have life, now and in the future.

Oh yeah, happy Holy Saturday!