The day was Saturday, the Sabbath of the Jews. Jesus’ body had been wrapped and placed
in a tomb. The despair that the disciples of Jesus must have felt is beyond description.
Less than a week before they had witnessed the great entry of Jesus into the city of
Jerusalem, hailed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He had cast out the money changers
of the temple and had called the temple His own. He had spoken with power to the Pharisees
and had usurped their power on every hand. He had spoken words of comfort and peace to
the disciples in the upper room. He had spoken of overcoming all things. Yet now He lay in
a tomb. His life of teachings and influence had ended literally overnight. From the time
of His arrest to the time of His death would not have been more than about 12 hours. He
had been tortured and executed. He had died and had been buried. How could heal the blind
and deaf and even raise the dead, and yet He could not prevent His own death.
How ironic the disciples must have thought, that on this Sabbath day, on which Jehovah
had rested from his labors after creating the earth, their Lord and Master would rest and lie
in a tomb. The Sabbath was to be a day of delight and joy; it was to be a day of rest
and rebirth. On the Sabbath day Jesus had healed many, yet He could not bring this same power
unto Himself. This day that was to be a delight, was anything but a delight.
Each of us is faced with moments of despair and depression; moments when we feel lost,
alone, and forsaken. At these times of agony we often ask how the Lord could permit such
an event to occur. How could the Lord let the righteous suffer so? We may feel that
because of our loss the Lord does not love us, or we have in some way displeased the
Master. Yet, these moments of despair and loss are given to us that we may learn. It
is only after sorrow that we can feel joy; it is only after loss that we can feel restoration;
it is only after death that we can know life. Had the disciples witnessed Jesus die of old
age, they would still have reason to mourn. However, because He died in such an appalling
and agonizing way the disciples were given the chance to experience complete loss and
total despair. Because of this, when Jesus was raised from the dead the next day, the
light, glory, joy, and happiness that must have filled their hearts is beyond description.
By His death and suffering He literally helped them to learn what true joy was like.
Though we often may find ourselves in despair, let us look to Christ and put our faith in
Him completely and totally. Let us never question what He has told us. Let us never doubt the
promises that He has given. He had told His disciples that He would be killed and rise
again; yet, the agony of the moment overshadowed their hope. In our times of trial, let us
never allow our faith to be overshadowed by fear and sadness. Let us always place our
faith in the Lord who is mighty to save. For after great trials comes great blessings;
after great sadness comes great joy; after death comes life and resurrection.