In-between Time
Imagine how the disciples felt after Jesus died.
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, `After three days I will rise again.' Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, `He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. - Matthew 27:62-66
Matthew's Gospel gives us a glimpse of what was happening behind the scenes, while the disciples were scattered.
We are told that the chief priests and Pharisees believed the disciples would run a scam, stealing the body to make it look like Jesus had been raised from the dead.
By this time, Pilate must be tired of these guys and their fear of this innocent man he had crucified. They have been nothing but a bother, first wanting him killed, then one of them wanted the body and now they come back wanting the body guarded.
If they had left the body on the cross, none of this would be necessary. The birds would have pecked away until there was nothing left to worry about.
If the disciples believed Jesus would rise in three days, wouldn't they have stayed by the tomb so they could witness it?
I wonder what this time before the resurrection was like for them. They must have been distraught. The hope of a Messiah had been washed away and now they were guilty of having followed a man branded a traitor to the state and a blasphemer.
What could they do now?
Today is the day of uncertainty about our future. Do we hold onto what we once believed or do we abandon it and move on?
We know what is to come, but they did not, or they didn't know for sure. So, let us be like them today, uncertain and lost, so we can be surprised tomorrow when we find the stone that had been secured rolled away and the tomb empty.
More to come...