This is a unique time in our world today and, the first time in my life that I will not be in a physical church service celebrating Jesus' resurrection. It makes it no less poignant, however. Part of my worship this morning was done alone, in my room, watching and engaging with my church online. Another part of it was sitting with my family while they engaged with their church online. We then sat around the table as a family but missing the heads of our home.
You see, they are celebrating with the angels in Heaven where their faith has been made sight. In my wildest imagination, I cannot fathom or envision what that is like. To be singing those songs we sang today in the presence of the Holy One. I long for that day.
As I was scrolling through social media the other day, I ran across some words a friend wrote about Friday-Sunday. I thought I'd try and put my own thoughts to them. (on an aside, Friday through Sunday is not a full three days in the grave for Jesus. I have always wondered why we celebrate the way we do when He died earlier than Friday. I am sure some theologian will set me straight!)
But taking those three days and putting some words to what those around Jesus were experiencing can be helpful in processing my own stuff. Maybe. I hope!
I look at these three days as "seasons" where each day carries its own thoughts, circumstances, emotions, and fears. I imagine some of those for the disciples and other followers of Jesus might look like this:
Friday - overwhelming, hard, painful, emotional, fighting, beaten down, betrayed, abandoned.
Saturday - recovering but not revived, processing, quiet, waiting, confused, hopeful but uncertain.
Sunday - full of life, restored, confident, victorious
In my most recent circumstances of life, I have just come out of another Friday and am sitting in a Saturday. I am recovering from some of life's most painful experiences, am processing with a counselor, and am hopeful but uncertain. I don't know how God will choose to allow this to play out. I am spending a lot of time quietly waiting, confused as to why this is taking so long. When will I get a job, my own place, friends (yes, I have some great ones, just not where I live), a chance for a life-partner again (maybe I won't). When will I "feel" like I am in a good place with Jesus, desiring to be more like Him and devouring His Word. When will I feel normal, secure, and settled again?
Here's the thing: I KNOW Sunday is coming. Those that were following Jesus through those days SHOULD have known but didn't understand fully. I do. Jesus DID rise from the dead. This restored the faith and confidence of those around Him at the time.
So, Sunday will come for me, and you, too. I just don't know when. Because I know this to be true, it gives me hope and confidence that this too shall pass. I will be stronger and more like Jesus as long as I continue to sit, quietly, waiting for His work to be done in me through this Saturday. He was preparing His disciples for their Sunday....to go and spread the gospel.
Saturdays are hard.
Sunday is coming.
