Over the last few days I have been trying to imagine what it would have been like to have one of the disciples. Can we even imagine what it was like for them?
On the Thursday (using our days & calendar), they were instructed by Jesus to go prepare the Passover feast. As a close knit group, they would celebrate the most revered dinner together. It is there, at that table, they learn one of them would betray Jesus. Can we even imagine what they felt upon hearing that one from among them was a traitor? For three years, they had been together. They had experienced the miracles, the teachings, the crowds, the parables – together. Now one would betray. It is immediately following that Last Supper together that events begin to unfold rapidly.
Gethsemane. The kiss on the cheek. All comes undone. A series of “trials”. Peter denies knowing Jesus. The beatings. The mocking. Can we even imagine what they felt – the fear, the shock, the confusion.
Friday comes. Christ has been found guilty. Given the choice of the release of a prisoner, the crowd requests Barabbas, a murderer, be set free & Christ be crucified. Can we even imagine what they felt then – the fear, the shock, the confusion.
From the Cross, they hear Christ say, “It is finished”.
Finished. Over. Can we even imagine what they felt then – the shock, the disbelief, the confusion, the loss…..
He was Jesus – their friend. He was Jesus – their Savior. He was Jesus – their hope of social reform. He was Jesus – things were not supposed to be like this.
And then from about 3PM (estimated time of Christ’s death) till the dawn of Sunday – nothing. Nothing. Can we even imagine what that had to be like for them? What did they do during this day? I can tell you what they were not doing. They were not getting the Easter ham prepared. They were not coloring eggs. They were not assembling the Easter baskets. They were not ironing their Easter clothes.
Can we even imagine what they felt on this day – the hurt, the loss, the grief, the disappointment, the confusion, the hopelessness.
And then, Scripture tells us….
 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
(Matthew 28: 1-6 NLT).
Can we even imagine this? Hope springs & it springs eternal – for them and for us! For everything He said is true. What do they do upon hearing this?Â
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. (verses 8-9 NLT).
                    They were filled with joy.
                           “And they worshiped Him.”
May you hear those words and may our response be exactly the same –
                                      May we be filled with joy.
                                       May we worship Him.
                                              Happy Easter!!!
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