waiting

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.
(Mark 15:43-47)

today, we wait.

we think.

we have the blessing of already knowing. we know that He rose. we know He conquered death.

but the disciples? they thought He was gone. they were scared. grieving. sorrowful. Jesus told them, the prophets told them, but when it came right down to it, He was gone. He had died & was buried. that was it.

solitude.
gloom.
despair.

unmitigated loneliness.

Jesus, I will ponder now on Thy holy Passion;
With Thy Spirit me endow for such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith may the image cherish
Of Thy suff'ring, pain and death that I may not perish.
("Jesus, I Will Ponder Now," v.1, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941)

The Foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan's domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.
("He's Risen, He's Risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord," v.2, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941)