Easter Meaning - Part 3

I ended Part 2, Good Friday, by saying "Sunday's comin." The experiences of Good Friday often plague us with doubt, depression, and despair but part of what makes them bearable is the knowledge that things will get better. That's the promise of Sunday. But today's Saturday. What does Easter Saturday hold?

For Jesus it held mystery. Nobody really knows what Jesus did on that Saturday. Some think he descended to hell to minister to the spirits, others think he ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God while others think he jumped in a time machine and fast forwarded to 1997 where he helped the Oilers win game 7 against Dallas. The fact is, we'll never know. We can only guess. So here's mine.

I think he waited - which made Easter Saturday just as bad or worse then Good Friday. What's worse then waiting to hear how things are going to turn out. Some of you may be thinking - what do you mean Jesus waited - he was God, he knew! I'm not sure he did. That's not a denial of his Divinity, its a recognition of his humanity. The same humanity that caused him to cry out in the garden and question on the cross also caused him to wait on Easter Saturday, the longest day in history. Was it a good plan? Did I do enough? God, are you really there?

If you've experienced the tragedy of Good Friday then you know the agony of Easter Saturday.
It sucks waiting, its excruciating. . .waiting to hear, waiting for relief, waiting for God to act. Sometimes you think you can't wait another minute but the hope of Sunday and its promise of new life allows you to hold on for one more day.

Tommorow's Sunday. Thank God.

John