That evening a rich disciple named Joseph from the town of Arimathea went and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate gave orders for it to be given to Joseph, who took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. Then Joseph put the body in his own tomb that had been cut into solid rock and had never been used. He rolled a big stone against the entrance to the tomb and went away.
All this time Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb.
On the next day, which was a Sabbath, the chief priests and the Pharisees went together to Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember what this liar said while he was still alive. He claimed in three days he would come back from death. So please order the tomb to be carefully guarded for three days. If you don't, his disciples may come and steal his body. They will tell the people he has been raised to life, and this last lie will be worse than the first one.”
Pilate said to them, “All right, take some of your soldiers and guard the tomb as well as you know how.” So they sealed it tight and placed soldiers there to guard it.
Matthew 27:57-66
The day after the Crucifixion of Jesus was also the day before the Resurrection. It was indeed a Day of Despair for those who followed Jesus. The Bible does not mention anyone who was anxiously waiting for that Sunday morning and expecting the tomb to be empty. Only the chief priests and Pharisees thought the tomb might be empty because the disciples could steal the Body of Jesus to make everyone believe that he was no longer dead.
The Day of Terror on that Friday was followed by a Day of Despair when everything seemed to be lost. All hope was gone and the disciples must have been going over in their minds everything they knew and believed about Jesus. Did Jesus really do all those miracles? How can his death on a Cross make any sense at all? It was all so confusing.
Are you a follower of Jesus Christ and yet are experiencing a Day of Despair? The things you had hoped for have not happened and the things you feared have come upon you. You can understand how the disciples of Jesus felt on that Saturday after the Crucifixion.
Be reminded that after the Day of Despair comes the Resurrection! The darkness will not last. The light will come and shine forever! So wait, and wait patiently for the Resurrection!
"Lord Jesus I thank You that You came back to life and that You will come back again! I know that the darkness of today will change into the glorious light of tomorrow when I see Your face, and will keep on seeing it forever. Thank You Lord. Amen."
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