Good Friday...Better Saturday

Last evening my wife and I visited a local church to observe Good Friday. Good Friday is observed to reflect on Christ's crucifixion before Easter Sunday when His resurrection is celebrated.

I can't imagine the silence that had fallen on the Lord's family, the disciples and others that closely followed Him. Three years of miracles, powerful messages and a life full of promise as Israel's Messiah seem to all end on a violent and bloody cross.

During those three days there was grieving, many unanswered questions and growing doubts. The disciples on the road of Emmaus captured it very well when saying, "...but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place." Luke 24.21 (NIV).

I realized that we bookend Friday and Sunday as major events but the middle (our Saturday) is hardly mentioned.

Peter gives us a little insight. Scripture says, "After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits--to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water." (I Peter 3:20-21, NIV).

Without adding to Scripture or speculating, it appears that after Jesus died and being made alive that He preached in hell!

How little did those walking on the earth knew that in the grave Jesus was working powerfully to tell them about Himself. Apparently, some listened as Ephesians 4:8 tells us that He took many of the captivity captive.

My point is that life and death are never barriers to Christ. He continues to work even if there seems to be a chilly silence. We know so very little of the supernatural work of God because we've limited ourselves to our natural senses.

Over the years, I've learned not to question Him but understand that He's in constant motion on my behalf even if my emotions have failed me or life seems more difficult and harder.

Today we must hear His voice - that resurrected voice - that will lead us out of our graves of doubt and fear. Ask God to raise you to life again and let Him break off that entombing doubt that because no change or answer has been given that all is lost in the grave.

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (John 5:21 NIV).