John 19:41-42
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:41-42 (NIV)
Good Friday is a term we use to designate the day Jesus was crucified, which sets up his victory over sin and death on Easter Sunday. We know this sequence of events, but put yourself in with the disciples of Jesus, and imagine how your ideas of how Jesus would save you and your friends by setting up a new kingdom free from Roman ruled are now destroyed. That particular Friday, the day of Preparation for the Sabbath, was anything but good. All your hopes and dreams through Jesus were gone, and you didn’t even have time to bury Jesus correctly. You had to do the expedient thing and lay him in a borrowed tomb until you could come back after the Sabbath. What now? Who do you trust now? Are you condemned to live under Roman rule and the weight of God’s law?
We look for certainty in our lives, and that first Good Friday didn’t give much hope, unless you really understood everything Jesus had been telling you. Waiting for God’s truth to unfold is like waiting for a flower to bloom from a tiny bud. At least with the flower, you can see the bud forming, but if you have never seen a bud form and bloom before, are you sure of what you see? Kindergarten children often plant seeds in a cup, with the promise of a plant that will sprout, but the waiting is hard, and can create uncertainty in the promise of a seed. After a few days, the sprout is visible, poking through the soil, and the uncertainty is changed to belief. Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection but the disciples were uncertain about his words. Is it okay to be uncertain? Is it a sin to have doubts? The Bible is full of stories of how people separated themselves from God, and how God devised redemption for us through Jesus. Faith gives us the strength to live with uncertainty and look forward to God’s promises. We live with the knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection, so we can be certain of our own resurrection. What a relief! How liberating is that knowledge! We can live with most earthly uncertainties now, because we are redeemed and our lives are free to be lived with God’s purposes, instead of worrying about what might go wrong. This week, embrace your uncertainties, and remember how God has removed the most important one of redemption. Live free with God!
Questions for Reflection:
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Is it easy for you to live with unknowns in your life?
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How do you deal with uncertain situations?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we are human and far too short sighted to see ahead to your promises of a life in You. Forgive our tendency to dwell on the unknown and separate ourselves from You with worry, and give us an understanding of Your promises so we can live with uncertainty while focusing on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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