In our study of John on Wednesday nights, we just completed an examination of the crucifixion account. Looking back, we’re able to appreciate the moment with a bit more clarity and perspective than the disciples. When we read the horrors that happened on the Friday recorded in John 19, we do so with the knowledge that the Lord will rise with the Sunday joy recorded in John 20. In between those two chapters—in between those two days—was a very dark Saturday. The disciples spent that day dejected, depressed, and in despair. They spent that day overcome by the harsh reality that all of us face: Death is bad. That’s such a simplistic way of putting it, but it’s for good reason. Those are the words I told my 9 year old earlier this week, and when your nine year old asks the question that begins with “why did God…” or “why didn’t God…” you need to give him an answer that is both true, but also not complicated.
So here’s what I told him, and after I told it to him, I started thinking about the dark Saturday that transpired between the Lord’s death and resurrection, and how sad the disciples must have been… and how elated they became when they witnessed the resurrection. Their joy is our future hope. There’s a resurrection coming for all of us…
Death is Bad but God is Good.
The grave mocks but God consoles.
Death is a curse but God heals.
Grief is a nightmare but God gives hope.
Death is merciless but God takes pity.
Death is bad but God is good.
This will be the last time I talk about what happened to us this week in a formal way. Our family thanks you for your prayers and sweet words to us. We are hardly the only people who have suffered miscarriages; they all need love, and we thank you for yours.
~Matthew