That Saturday

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It is the day after the crucifixion. Those disciples who remain are terrified and grief stricken. Because it is the Sabbath, they cannot leave Jerusalem, they must remain where they are, wondering.

Are the Sanhedrin satisfied with the death of the Teacher? Or will more of them be denounced to the Romans?

Along with their terror, they are nearly paralyzed with grief. They cannot understand fully the events they have witnessed over the past few years. The miracles, the sayings of the Son of Man. His wisdom.

Is that finished? What do they do now?

Perhaps John, who personally witnessed the death of Jesus and who always seemed far wiser and stabler than the other disciples, spent the day in deep thought. He was always the one who paid close attention to the Teacher, ever the practical one.

What of Peter? The rock upon whom Jesus said he would build his church. He had denied the Son of Man three times, just as the Teacher had predicted.

Peter had also attacked one of the temple guards that Thursday night in the garden. Surely the authorities could not, would not, forget that. Perhaps plans were already afoot to seize him and bring him before Pilate. Surely the Romans would not condone an attack upon the very forces they entrusted to keep peace in the city.

Peter must have been stricken with remorse, grief, and fear for his own safety all at the same time.

What of dear Mary, the mother of Jesus? Her grief must have been profound and nearly paralyzing. All parents fear and dread the thought of outliving their children. Now she was living that reality.

No one knew what would come next. Perhaps some remembered this -

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16:21

On that day of grief and sorrow, of mourning and yes, even terror, who can say what those who knew and loved Jesus best were thinking. There was one though, who thought no more, who had died even before his Master. Did the other disciples even think of that one, the one who betrayed Him? Who, much to his own later dismay, fulfilled the words of Scripture by his treasonous behavior.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5

I have often wondered what that Saturday in Jerusalem was like. That Saturday so long ago. We focus on the horror of that preceding Friday, trying to keep in mind the glory that was to come.

But on that Saturday, those who knew our Lord best must have been miserable beyond belief.

Something perhaps to keep in mind as we live through these trying times. Many are miserable and in fear, terrified, wondering what is to come.

There will be hard times for many. But do not despair, the darkest hour is always just before the dawn.

He will return, when God wills it.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 12:32-37