Desolation's Defeat Is Hope

 

Detail of Romanesque crucifixion group at Seckau Basilica, Styria, Austria

After the crucifixion came the Sabbath. There is no mention of what Jesus' disciples did. The last action was taken by Nicodemus and Joseph: 

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. (John 19:38-40 KJV)

The last we heard of Peter, he had denied Jesus three times in the courtyard, ended up weeping. John, a bit earlier, had been given charge to take care of Mary. I like to think he took that charge seriously and was seeing after her. The others remained in Jerusalem, we know that from John 20. But where they were on that last day of the week, we have no scriptures.

Left to my own imagination, I think they were empty, barren, with a future that was bleak and dismal. All the definitions of desolate. They had seen their hopes, their faith, their future die on a cross at the hands of both Jews and Romans. The fishermen could go back to their boats - what would Matthew do? Would he be accepted back as a tax collector? We cannot know what their conversations were, what plans were discussed, but most of us know how impossible it is to think realistically after a devastating loss.

Some of us may have been among those whose faith was so tested that it seemed non-existent. Others have consoled or counseled with love dear friends/relatives who have been there. Many seem left in that desolation. We should be able to tell them about what happened to change the outlook when we hear the continuation of the story:

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. (Matthew 28:2-4 KJV)

Roman soldiers were the first to face the Resurrection. They were shaken in fear, but they were the last to be afraid. The next group were women:

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. (Luke 24:10-12 KJV)

According to John, they still did not understand they had seen prophecy fulfilled:

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (John 20:9 KJV)

That same day, in the evening, ten of the disciples gathered and met with the risen Lord:

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:19-22 KJV)

The most important part of this story is what we do with what we've been told. There is no historical proof that Jesus did/didn't die on the cross except what happened in that first century following His resurrection. I hope you have no doubt that I believe He died on the cross and the Resurrection took place the first day of the following week. For the next century such an open belief meant death. Here in the 21st century it often means derision. For two thousand years in between, many died for this belief. Sadly, some claiming this belief killed others because they didn't. For the greater portion, the majority shared this belief with love for their neighbor.

Christians' faith out loves desolation. We gather in prayer to comfort those who feel there is no hope, for it has been defined for us:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

We know this because of the men who continued writing of their experiences, as had been done before:

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4 KJV)