Think back to that Friday.
The air was heavy with disbelief. Imagine being one of Jesus' closest friends. You'd seen miracles, heard life-changing words, and felt a hope you'd never known. And then… this. Your leader, your friend, the one you believed in, hanging lifeless on a cross. It had to feel like the world had tilted on its axis. Confusion doesn't even begin to cover it. Doubt probably crept in. "What was the point? Did we get it all wrong?"
In moments like these in our own lives – when we receive devastating news, when relationships crumble, when dreams die – we too feel the weight of loss, the sting of injustice, and the bewilderment of why a loving God would allow such pain. Doubt can creep in, whispering questions we don't want to hear. Like those first disciples, we can feel lost, afraid, and utterly confused about what the future holds.
Then came Saturday.
A day of stillness. Jesus was in the tomb. His followers were likely in hiding, grappling with the events of the previous day. Grief hung heavy in the air, mixed with a lingering sense of shock and perhaps a sliver of disbelief. It was a day of waiting, but a waiting without any clear hope. They couldn't have known what was coming. It was a day shrouded in uncertainty, a pause between the ultimate loss and the unimaginable miracle.
We all experience these in-between times. We've faced a setback, a disappointment, or a loss, and we're waiting for what comes next. It can be a time of quiet grief, wrestling with unanswered questions, and feeling suspended in uncertainty. It's in these silent spaces that we are often called to simply be still, even when we don't know what we're waiting for.
Then came Sunday.
Imagine the shock and awe of Mary Magdalene and the other women at the empty tomb. The news that Jesus was alive spread like wildfire, transforming fear into uncontainable joy. The disciples, though initially skeptical, were eventually filled with awe and a renewed sense of purpose. What had seemed like utter defeat was, in fact, the ultimate victory. The confusion of Friday gave way to the clear and glorious truth of the resurrection.
This reminds us that even after our darkest times and our most uncertain waits, God's story for us is not over. There is always the possibility of a breakthrough, a healing, a moment of profound joy and understanding that we couldn't have foreseen. Just as the resurrection defied all expectations, God's best for us can often emerge in ways we never imagined. The confusion and pain we experience are not the final word. There is always hope for new beginnings, and for God's ultimate plan to be revealed in His perfect timing.
The walk from the despair of that Friday to the joy of that Sunday is a powerful reminder that even when life feels confusing and uncertain, God is at work. Just as He brought forth unimaginable hope from what seemed like utter defeat, we can trust that He is with us in our own journeys, leading us towards a future filled with His love and purpose, even when the path ahead is unseen.
If you find yourself in a Good Friday right now, where loss and confusion feel heavy, please know that you are not alone. Even in the darkest valley, God's love surrounds you, and this is not the end of your story. Hold onto the truth that even in death, new life is possible.
If you are in a Saturday season – that quiet, uncertain waiting time – be encouraged. Just as the disciples couldn't have known the miracle that was coming, your breakthrough may be just beyond the horizon. Rest in His presence, even in the stillness, and trust that He is still working behind the scenes.
And if you are experiencing an Easter Sunday in your life right now – a time of joy, breakthrough, and renewed hope – take a moment to thank God for His goodness and faithfulness. See His hand in the unfolding of your story, and let this be a reminder of His power to bring beauty from ashes.
Reflection:
- As you reflect on the feelings of those first witnesses, which part of their journey resonates most with what you might be feeling in your life right now?
- How does understanding the emotional shifts in the Easter story offer comfort or perspective during your challenging times?
- What is one area of your life where you can choose to hold onto hope, trusting that a future moment of understanding and joy is possible, even if it feels distant now?
Leave a comment