Today is Holy Saturday, the in-between day. The disciples
are gathered. For them, this is a horrible day. Their friend and teacher, a man
they thought was the Messiah, has been crucified. He died and was buried. What
seemed the most amazing adventure of their lives has ended.
If they only had the perspective we have! They would have
been preparing a welcome party for Jesus instead of being huddled in a locked
room. They did not understand that Jesus had to die and rise again even though
he had told them plainly. Can you imagine the disciples huddled in a locked
room if they knew — knew — that Jesus would be coming out of the grave
the very next morning? Inconceivable!
We also live in an in-between time. Jesus has told us that
he will come again to take us to be with him where there is no more sorrow,
sickness, suffering, pain or death. How, then, do we live? This is a question
of faith. If you don’t believe Jesus is coming back, huddle in fear. Make what
you can of your life. Love carefully and cautiously. Protect yourself and
prepare to die because you are but a mist that appears briefly and then
vanishes. But if you do believe Jesus is coming back, why not live in joy now?
Why not live in peace now?
Tomorrow morning we will say, “Christ is risen! He is risen,
indeed! Alleluia!” We have the perspective that those poor, grieving disciples
lacked. We have the word of the risen Christ that death has been conquered. The
grave is the door to eternal life. All is right with God through Jesus. Of
course this life has times of difficulty and pain, but why should your heart
not dance?
Why should your heart not dance?
Amen!
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