What happened?
Six days ago, he entered Jerusalem and it seemed like nothing could stop him. Today, he was dead. Where did it all go wrong?
We don’t ask where it all went wrong because we know what happens next. The disciples didn’t. For that one Saturday, it seemed Jesus of Nazareth was just another hiccup in the tumultuous history of Israel. He was not the Messiah; just another executed revolutionary.
Friday was proof that the other way of which Jesus spoke - the way in which the poor in spirit were blessed and the least were greatest - was not possible. The powerful still ruled. The other cheek would just be slapped harder.
Did you ever wonder what went through the disciples’ heads that Saturday? They were probably devastated, numb, and fearful for their lives. They blamed themselves. Some questioned why they left their worlds behind for this. What were they going to do next?
One suspects they asked themselves how they could have been so wrong about how it was all going to end. They had visions of Roman Empire crumbling before the peaceful revolution and their teacher bringing about a new world. What they had seared into their minds was their friend and rabbi beaten almost beyond recognition and hanging on a cross.
Or the look on his face when that rooster crowed.
Or the the aching betrayal when Judas kissed him.
Or their own feet running away as fast as they could.
He had known. Jesus had said countless times that this was going to happen and even said he would rise three days later. But he was always speaking in parables and the disciples always had trouble understanding what he was really talking about. And now the followers of this brilliant teacher, miracle worker, and would-be Messiah were left with the question.
What happened?
Fortunately, there’s a tomorrow.
