That Terrible Thursday

On this day, about two thousand years ago, Jesus died. What a terrible Thursday that must have been for his disciples. We see a little bit about how they felt when we read the Bible, but they were scared. It is easy forget what was going through their heads because we are able to look back and see that Sunday was coming. But they didn’t get it. They didn’t really understand why Jesus had had the Passover early, but now, here he was, hanging on the cross. Those who dared watch on that terrible Thursday must have been hoping to see him work one more miracle and come down off the cross. But many didn’t watch because they feared for their lives.

A friend had betrayed their leader and then went out and hung himself. There religious leaders were out for blood. If they could crucify Jesus, then surely they would crucify his followers too. They couldn’t see that it was all part of the plan.

There wasn’t much they could do. A few of them went and asked for the Lord’s body. They buried him in a new tomb, with soldiers guarding it. Then they went and prepared for Passover. But the Passover lamb was already slain. Friday was a busy day. Saturday was the Sabbath. The death of Jesus on Thursday was on their mind, but they had things they had to do. It wasn’t until Sunday morning that some women were able to break away from their required tasks and finish what they hadn’t been able to do on Thursday. Three days later.

The older I get, the more terrible that Thursday seems to me. When I was a kid, I was more interested in the Easter eggs. I don’t know that many people said much about that terrible Thursday, at least, not until Sunday. Now, as people prepare for the Easter festivities that take place on Good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, much like how the Jews were preparing for the Passover, I’m reminded even more of what took place on the terrible Thursday.

But I’m thankful we don’t have to dwell on it long because in three days, Jesus rose from the grave. He conquered death. Yes, he died on that terrible Thursday, but he isn’t dead now.

Comments

McKenzie McCann said…
Easter always falls right around my birthday. I have a bit of a vendetta against it for this reason.

For example, my birthday is April 9th, and Easter is the 8th this year.
April 5, 2012 at 12:23 PM
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