Jesus’ disciples didn’t seem to process His words when Jesus told them He would die. Did they recall what He said when they watched the soldiers arrest Him? Did they hang on to hope, or did their cherished hopes wither? Even though Jesus told them He would rise from the dead, we don’t see evidence of anticipation. As the night of His arrest lengthened, I believe their fear and confusion grew. And then their worst nightmare happened—Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified.
We don’t like death; it’s so final. We don’t like thinking about the death of those we love or even those we barely know. How about our own death? I hope we don’t dread it, after all, it is the only door to Heaven. You may even be uncomfortable reading this post, but press on.
Good Friday, then Easter. Death first, then life. In eternity, we will find no dread, no fear, no suffering. We will only know joy, wholeness, and freedom. This inheritance is possible because Jesus died and rose to life. He ascended and is preparing a place for us, eager for us to join Him.
The somberness of Good Friday inspires our anticipation of Easter’s victory, which in turn, ignites our eagerness for eternal life. Death, then life, for Jesus, for us. Anticipate it!
For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command,
with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and are left
will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And so we will be with the Lord forever.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
BARBARA HIGBY 