The day after His death.

I wonder what it was like for the ones who had just lost their Lord, their Friend. What were the thoughts and emotions of those who had gazed upon their Master and King and known His love, greatness and goodness. Can you even begin to fathom?

Yesterday, I had to take some time to reflect deeply on Jesus’ crucifixion and death. I had to put myself there, in that moment, with Him. It is all too easy to get caught up with distractions while celebrating this Easter weekend, we can miss the greatness of why we are really celebrating.

For me? I need to journey through the significant happenings of this Easter weekend.

I had to begin at the foot of the cross, it is where I went to see and understand The One who took my place. The One who lived the perfect life and was the ultimate sacrifice. The One who in those moments of suffering and with his last breath proclaiming the words “It is finished”, became my Rescuer.

So, now, I take the time to wonder. I try to imagine this day as it was for those who were there. I can imagine a sacred state of solemn grief and, perhaps, confusion. Did they feel an incredible empty void in their spirit? Did doubt find its way into their mind, so it could then nestle in their soul? Oh, the agony of this day.

But, I also think of –

Matthew 12:40 – For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

John 2:19 – Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Mark 9:31 – …for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

Were these the words that they were clinging to with all their might? Did the hope-filled words of Resurrection their Savior established during His time on earth, make sense to them? In their time of grief, were these words of promise their anchor or were these words their sinking sand? After witnessing all of Christ’s miracles, signs and wonders, was there an uncertainty in the stillness of the grave…or were they holding fast and watching for His greatest moment yet? Did they know, that on the most still of days, their Friend buried, was battling Death himself?

What would I have done? Would my faith have been shaken? Would I have let grief overcome my faith and hope in Him? Would I have let what was unknown to me, to cause me to cast away all I knew of and in Him?

I just can’t help but wonder what I would have done, thought or said on – the day that all was still.

Friends, I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful Easter weekend. I hope you come back to visit tomorrow. This story is not over.