The Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is a day filled with anticipation. At least it was some 1980 years or so ago when Jesus’ disciples were one day removed from what appeared to some to be the murder of their leader.

I believe that the disciples were anticipating they were next, that the Jewish leaders would come for them and have them arrested. Good Friday was followed by Gloomy Saturday, a day which had Jesus’ followers hiding and fearing the worst.

Women Head To The Tomb

But, not everyone was paralyzed by fear, with at least five women choosing to get up early that Sunday morning to visit Jesus’ tomb where they planned to anoint His body with spices. Mary Magadalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna and at least one other woman went out that day (Ref. Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:10 and John 20:1).

In Matthew’s account, we know that Mary Magadalene and the other Mary went to the tomb and at some point a violent earthquake took place as an angel rolled back the stone blocking the tomb and sat on it. Jesus had already raised Himself (Ref. 2:19-21, Romans 8:11 and Acts 2:32) from the dead and left the tomb; the angel was sent to give His followers access to the tomb to see that He was, indeed, no longer there.

Jesus Was Alive & So Were Many Dead Saints

Soon, the disciples discovered that Jesus was not dead that He was alive and that “many bodies of the saints which slept arose” (Matthew 27:52). For forty days the resurrected Jesus showed Himself to His followers, encouraged them and then ascended to heaven (Ref. Acts 1:9-11 and Luke 24:50-53). Although we don’t know what became of the resurrected saints, they very well could have ascended to heaven with Jesus.

Fast Forward To 2009

I’m also spending this day in anticipation, but unlike the disciples, I have the rest of the story. At least the part where Jesus rose from the dead and ascended.

I, too, am waiting in anticipation not so much for Easter Sunday, rather for Jesus’ return. Resurrection Sunday serves as a strong reminder that Jesus conquered death and sin, but another event — His Second Advent — is what I really yearn for these days.

I know that we are living in the end times, perhaps the very last days before His return. The signs are clear to those who love Him as the birth pangs grow closer together.  Moral depravity, ungodliness, the falling away of professing believers and wars/rumors of wars are signs that this world cannot continue “as is” for much longer.

Lately, I’ve been finding myself crying out to the Lord, not so much to intervene in my personal circumstances but that He would intervene in this world’s affairs. I know that He’ll come back on schedule, but I must admit that “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” is the cry of my heart.

Thankfully, today isn’t “Gloomy Saturday” for me. Instead, I wait in anticipation of the reminder of Resurrection Sunday and for the promise of His return.

May your heart also be filled in anticipation, watching and praying until the return of Jesus Christ.

Related Reading: Prophecy Fulfilled — Zechariah 9:9

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