Why the Day In Between Matters

Luke 23:56 'Then they retired and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.'

Mark 16:14 'Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness; because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.'

A few days ago, I read an editorial in the metro section about a man raised in a Christian home, who did not share their faith. He called the Resurrection "symbolic" and said the celebration of Easter took away from the teachings of this radical rabbi. Sure if its celebrated the worldly way. But this man is rather like the disciples themselves on the Sabbath. No faith but left with radical teachings.

The world celebrates Easter with baskets of candy and toys. The Easter Bunny hippity hopping down the bunny trail. Everyone gets new clothes and most goes to church for maybe the second time that year (Christmas being the first). The world places the emphasis on Jesus death. The so called "experts" call him a martyr. I still think The Passion of the Christ needs a sequel. This is because the world see Jesus and his teachings and his death and call him a a good prophet who died. But it takes faith in God and his promises to restore Himself with His creation do we believe he rose on Easter Sunday.

Can you imagine the disciples on that second day? They were probably bitter. Angry with God that they had allowed themselves to trust this man that claimed to be the Messiah. That claimed hope. They were scared.

John 20: 19a 'When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week and doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews.'

They were afraid of retribution since they had followed this Jesus. That they would be next. Peter was probably feeling guilty because he had been the one to deny Jesus three times as predicted (John 18:15-27)

They were probably angry at Judas because A) he had betrayed Jesus (John 18: 2-3) and B) he had hung himself before they could vent their anger (Matt. 27: 3-10).

And they were probably thinking. Thinking of all Jesus had said and did. The miracles he had performed. All the good he did. How he had helped people and changed their lives. What were they suppose to do now? Return to their families and old jobs after three years? What was the point of following Jesus and listening to him if he didn't claim his power as Messiah and let himself be killed?

The writer of the article was essentially asking the same question. He said why if we have the salvation of Christ do we need to spend a life of sacrifice in His name? The guy didn't get it. The disciples wouldn't get it until the next day. The day when God's promise was revealed.

How often do we not get it? When we ask ourselves why do we have to do these things for God is we're saved? The answered revealed...tomorrow.