I try to imagine what it was like for the disciples when Jesus died. The person who loved them and they loved and followed, was gone. Although he'd told them that he would have to die but then would rise again on the third day, it was, I imagine, hard for them to believe (Matthew 16:21). They did see Jesus raise Lazarus and Jairus' daughter from the dead, but this would be completely different. The One who raised the others from the dead, was dead, himself.
Can you imagine? Waiting together, afraid to go out into town, lest they be arrested, too, by association. The light of their lives, their guiding light, gone. What were they thinking? What did they say among themselves? Did they have hope? Or did they feel that all hope was gone? It must have been a very dark time, indeed.
But daylight was coming...
Very early in the morning, on the third day, the women went to the tomb. When they got there, the stone covering the tomb's entrance was moved away. They went into the tomb but the body of Jesus was gone! Then two men appeared next to them in "gleaming garments" and they were afraid. But the men said to them "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, he is risen! Remember how he told you when he was still with you in Galilee? The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again." (Luke 24:1-9)
I love the next verse: "Then they remembered his words."
Isn't that just like us?
We go through dark periods in our lives where it seems that all light, all hope is gone. We know what we've been told. We know what we've been taught. But when we are in the middle of the dark time, we can only see the dark. How much better would it be if we remembered His words and held onto hope instead?
In Psalm 30, David talks about when he was "in the pit" and he called on God, who rescued him. In the second part of verse 5, he says 'weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.'
In Isaiah 40:31, it says, "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
What darkness are you in today? Let me share the one who is Hope with you. Remember his words, remember his hope, remember the promise in Romans 10:13 "all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Hold on...daylight is coming! He is risen, indeed!
A group named Remedy Drive has done a song called "Daylight." If you'd like to listen, click here for the link.
