Dumbstruck Wonder
By Anthony Casperson
4-8-23

Over the years of writing these blogs, I’ve mentioned more than a few times this day between. This Saturday in between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

The day that the first followers of Jesus mourned the loss of their Teacher and Lord, having forgotten their Savior’s claim that he would rise from the dead and defeat death itself. The small amount of time every year that generations of followers of Jesus would spend in silence as a seasonal reminder of their Savior’s time in the tomb. And the representation of the “now, but not yet” of the Kingdom of God that we live while between the first and the second coming of Jesus.

In previous years, I’ve mentioned how we can stand in silent sorrow on account of the trials and tribulations of this world, and yet still rejoice that victory will come. Friday has happened. And we live in the Saturday. But Sunday will come.

The day of victory, resurrection, and life. Even after our depressions, anxieties, and sorrows.

While I still believe all of that to be true, I feel that overemphasis on such things can make us forget one thing that separates us from the followers of Jesus on that first sorrowful Saturday between.

We know that Resurrection Sunday came. The firstfruits through Jesus that stands as guarantee of the resurrection for all who follow him. The surety—the hope—of the glory we have ahead of us because we bow before the cross. No matter the situation we find ourselves in right now.

There is more than sorrow in our lives during this day between—during the time that we wait for his return and the fullness of his kingdom. A silence of sorrow may be where we find ourselves right now. But may I suggest we also see this silence of the grave as one more thing?

A silence of awe.

Dumbstruck wonder as we consider the lengths to which God went in order to save his creation. Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, chose to bear one of the worst and most painful executions known to humanity as a self-offered sacrifice so that he could bring his followers into right relationship with himself.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus thought nothing of the shame, disgrace, and pain of the cross. The humiliation of the Almighty surrounded by his creation as so many jeered at his supposed failure. It was worth it all, just so that he could save some of that same crowd.

He endured the cross—remained there when he could rewrite any part of this reality—for the joy set before him. Knowledge that his plan of salvation was right on track. That hope hung in their midst, despite the fact that it appeared lost.

Verse 3 asks us to consider him. Consider the one who endured the antagonism of sinners. Because though he has been returned to glory at the right hand of the Father, that is not why he bore the cross.

No, he endured to bring us life and forgiveness and joy and hope and resurrection.

And because he endured the sacrifice, we can endure this time between his comings. Not grow weary or become fainthearted. Because we know Resurrection Sunday will come for us too. The sufferings of this life are like nothing in comparison to the joy set before us because of the cross.

Let us stand in awed silence of our Lord and Savior as we await tomorrow’s resurrection.