Peter, James and John – The Day After Jesus Died
Somehow our feet found a way back to each other, all of us overwhelmed to the point we couldn’t really think. Facts eluded us save one: Jesus was dead. We couldn’t make sense of anything, and at first could only stare, eyes wet as we clasped shoulders with hands a bit unsteady but sure in love. Deep moments later, questions began to emerge…questions voicing emotions difficult to say.
“Did you see this coming? I didn’t. I feel like I should’ve.”
“How much of what He said can we really trust now? All those things He said. What was real and what wasn’t? I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“I feel angry. Why would He raise Lazarus from the dead but not Himself?”
“Why was He so silent with Caiaphas? Why didn’t He defend Himself? If He had just said something He wouldn’t have been killed! I heard Caiaphas say He was harmless. If He had just said something we wouldn’t be sitting here now.”
“How can we ever go to a temple again? Even if they have studied the words of God their whole lives, they’re evil men. I don’t know what to do with what Jesus said, but I know I can’t go back to listening to them.”
“What are we going to do now? They’re watching us just like they watched Him. Are we next? Are they going to kill us too? It doesn’t matter what we do at this point. They’ll be looking for a chance to arrest us.”
“I felt so powerless…like I should be doing something to stop it, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t think what to do. And then I was afraid. I was afraid they’d railroad me too.”
“I don’t know how to get the images out of my mind. I’ve never seen anyone die like that before. He was so quiet. Even his groans were not loud. John, you’re the only one He said anything to besides the thief. You and Mary. I wish I’d been close enough for him to speak to me.”
“He’s just gone. Do you realize 2 days ago we were with Simon and life was normal? How can it ever be normal again?”
“What’s going to happen to us?”
“Guys…I need to tell you something.”
ACTION: When pain comes, we grope around for any answers we can find. When pain comes, we need each other. What answers are you looking for? Who are the friends to whom you turn when the world is upside down? How do you relate to Jesus in the middle of it?
