Over these past days we have focused on Jesus’ final hours before his death. Today we hit bottom. Have you had a time in your life when you felt like you have hit rock bottom? Perhaps you’re stuck in the muck at the bottom of the pit of hopelessness and can’t find your way out. Don’t spend much time there, but do remember the feeling you had. Hopelessness.
Sometimes it’s hard to insert ourselves in the crucifixion and burial part of the story because we know what happens next. I’ve been really focusing on trying to set aside my knowledge of the final victory to feel the hopelessness his friends and followers felt.
You know the feeling you get when you are having a really good time, and then it’s over. The let down sets in. Sometimes it feels like you had been living in a dream. It was so good. You try to muster up the joy you felt when the party was going on, but sadly it’s over. That’s the kind of despair his followers had to be feeling. They were now replaying in their heads everything Jesus had told them, but they hadn’t understood.
The angry cries and shouts have died down. Jesus had been put to death. The Roman officer had figured out Jesus’ innocence. Don’t you wonder who else had the light bulb moment? We can just picture the people leaving the location with tears streaming. Their shouting now turned to wailing. Thankfully, Joseph of Arimathea made the request, it seems as a final tribute to Jesus. Jesus’ body had a place to lay.
Then it was time for all to rest. The Sabbath had begun. Today we often call this day “Holy Saturday.” It is a day on which we should all take time to reflect on exactly what happened on that hill near Jerusalem, how our Lord took our sins upon himself. Take extra time today to tell Jesus exactly how you feel. What is your response to what he has done? This is between you and Jesus.
Let’s pray. Lord, I am humbled. I am the daughter of a king, King Jesus. You give me strength, confidence, perseverance, grace, and so much more. My heart is overflowing with gratefulness. I am also deeply moved and saddened by how it had to play out so I am able to live as I do. Use me and my words to speak for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
