Saturday's Confusion

Can you imagine the confusion the disciples felt on the Saturday after Jesus' death?  I'm not sure they ever "got it" about Jesus' purpose.  They wanted to get it, but I'm not sure they did.  They had been looking for a Messiah who was going to be a benevolent leader and who was going to change their world system.  Instead, Jesus upset the apple cart of the religious leaders--turning over money changer's tables and confronting the leaders for living by the letter of the law and foregoing love.

The disciples saw Jesus heal people, feed thousands with a few fish and small loaves of bread, walk on water, calm storms, raise the dead...but they were waiting for that new kingdom.  A King.  A leader. Someone who would take the throne by storm. But instead...he died.

Not only did Jesus die, but before his death, the disciples had declared they would follow him and die with him but instead they denied him.  So not only were they confused by Jesus' death, but they were overwhelmed by what was in their own heart--something they didn't even know was there.

We seem to be in our own Saturday.  We need to know that Jesus didn't come to change the world system.  He came to redeem us to His Father so that we can be a part of his new kingdom--as salt and light.  A kingdom that starts in our hearts.  He's told us that bad things will happen before he comes again--but "it is necessary that these things take place."   When Jesus was faced with God's plan to redeem the world, knowing he would take the sins of the world on himself, he prayed.  He begged God to let this cup pass from him.  But knowing that "it was necessary that these things take place," he added, "Not my will, but thine be done."   And God said no.   Just like Jesus' birth, death, burial and resurrection were prophesied and had to be fulfilled, so have these days.  Let's not focus on our Saturday and the confusion it holds.  God has a plan.  Sunday's coming!