Waiting

On the first day of the week, we find the disciples gathered together when the women bring them the news of Jesus' resurrection. That's really the only indication of what they had been doing since the crucifixion.

I bring this up today, knowing that most remember the crucifixion today, but believing that Jesus was in the grave three days and three nights, I think that technically by this time He was already in the grave. If you need further explanation, come to church on Sunday and Dave will explain.

Anyway, I was thinking today about the followers of Christ. What were they thinking? Were they together the whole time? Were they waiting for the resurrection? Were they recalling His teaching and counting the hours? Or were they distraught, depressed and broken?

I am sure there was a combination of all of the above. Some had to remember His words, "...the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day..." (Luke 9:22) Most, however, were probably overcome with guilt from abandoning or denying Jesus. Their surprise and denial at the women's testimony ("..the words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them..." Luke 24:11) indicate that they were not looking for His resurrection but were rather sequestered in their sorrow together. It had to be terribly difficult days.

So here's the question for the day: You all know what a promoter I am of studying the Word, but why is it in times of great distress, we forget what it says? The disciples had been told several times what was going to happen and yet in their hour of greatest sorrow, they did not remember the words of Jesus.

I'm really not pointing my finger at them - I have done that very thing. The Christian walk is a walk in faith, and the time that faith is most evident is when we have to act on His Words when reality tells us the opposite. We can't forget the truth of the Word at our greatest times of need - that's when we need it the most. That's when we let the Word be our comfort and guide, knowing that God is always true to His promises and even when we can't see what tomorrow holds, He's there holding it already.

Waiting...the next couple of days is the waiting game until we can celebrate the resurrection with our church body. It's play acting, really, because the resurrection is already a reality in our lives. But this is a great opportunity to step in the shoes of the disciples and wait for Sunday morning.

And then, on Sunday morning, take off all the stops and have a real celebration with the body of Christ - shouldn't this emotion outrank any homerun/touchdown/goal scored cheer that we've been a part of?

Let's make this a great Resurrection Sunday...