Waiting

"On Holy Saturday there is nothing we can do except wait." - N. T. Wright

Scripture is remarkably silent on what the close followers of Jesus did the day after the death of Jesus. In fact, John 20:9 tells us, "for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead." I believe that they were confused on that Saturday. I believe that they spent the day fighting their doubt and trying make sense of what just happened.

Jesus had been the hope and purpose for these followers for three years. They had given their lives to following him and learning from his ways and his teachings. They had left family and jobs to follow him. They had seen him heal, walk on water, cast out demons, teach with great authority. Now he was dead. Darkness and evil had won or at least was winning.

I think as much as they were mourning his death, they were confused and in great doubt. Perhaps they were even angry and for a time felt as if they had wasted the last three years. If you look at the initial encounters that Mary, Peter, John, Thomas and others had with him, the first reaction is doubt or just simply not recognizing him.

Our lives are like this cycle. We see Jesus and we connect deeply with him. He is our hope and he is our purpose. But darkness comes in and prevails for a season and we believe that darkness has won and with it we live in confusion, anger and doubt. Our hope and purpose take a hit. When we do see Jesus again, we doubt or don't recognize him.

But as these Saturdays or seasons of doubt come in our lives...the tomb is always empty. Even in our doubt, Jesus says come to me.