03/30/2024
He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.” – Luke 24:46
We have made it through Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and now we look forward to Easter Sunday! But what about today? The day that lies between the desperation of Jesus’ death on the cross and Jesus’ triumphant Resurrection. It is easy to skim past this day knowing the entire story. We know Jesus is raised from the dead and even though we try to feel the repentance and pain of Good Friday, we always have – in the back of our minds – how the story ends. It is hard to un-forget something as miraculous as Easter.
It was this in-between day that the disciples cowered in the corner of their rooms in fear of the Roman authorities and the women prepared their final spices of frankincense and myrrh in acknowledgment of the death of Jesus. It is clear the people who knew Jesus were not expecting Easter Sunday. In life, we often have long, unpleasant periods of time before painful situations come to resolution. As a matter of fact, it often feels like, in this life, many of our sufferings remain unanswered by God. As if God does not see our pain, as though God ignores our anguish. Nothing is happening on Holy Saturday except for our unbelief.
Though this is sad, it is also hopeful. God’s redemption will happen regardless of our lack of belief. Easter Sunday is proof that God is faithful to us, even when we have accepted defeat and have lost faith in God. Jesus was resurrected even though no one who followed Jesus seemed to believe what Jesus told them when he was alive. The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. On Easter Jesus appeared to several people; many still did not believe … and Jesus continued to appear to them. After that, God sends the Holy Spirit who lives in us and continues to speak to us today through prayer and his Holy Word.
If today you are stuck in a situation that gets worse every day, if you miss a loved one who has passed, if the burdens of this life have left you lifeless and hopeless, God is working. We don’t have to believe that God is going to do a miracle. We do not have to expect God to work. God is loving you and making a way for you even in your unbelief. Easter is coming.
Rev. Dr. Kimberly Pope-Seiberling, director, New Church Development
