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The Longest Three Days. Three Days of Hopelessness. death, burial, and resurrection when we think of death of Christ, it is always with an understanding that he conquered death (Acts 2:22-32)
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Three Days of Hopelessness • death, burial, and resurrection • when we think of death of Christ, it is always with an understanding that he conquered death (Acts 2:22-32) • however, for this lesson, let us imagine ourselves the disciples during those three days of hopelessness • hopelessness and confusion (Lk. 24:13-24) • for three days, the disciple’s thoughts were chaotic • lost even after having heard the tomb was empty! • let us look in detail at three well know examples and how they handled those three days
The Confused Emotions of Peter • confusion/betrayal at arrest(Jn. 18:3-12) • why did He go willingly? why didn’t He let me protect Him? why did He despise my zeal?(Jn. 13:36-38) • denial/remorse outside trial (Lk. 22:54-62) • Peter did not want to lose sight of Christ, but he also did not fully want to be with Him - had no direction • jealousy of John’s relationship • John stayed with Jesus, not him (Jn. 18:15-18) • John did not deny Christ, he did (Jn. 21:20-21)
The Sorrow of the Women • at the crucifixion (Lk. 23:26-27) • while the apostles fled, the women drew near, tearful • His mother stood at the foot of the cross (Jn. 19:25-27) • they were also the ones to attend to His preparation • at the garden tomb (Jn. 20:11-16) • Mary Magdalene so sorrowed that she could not even conceive of the joy of His resurrection • likewise the other disciples when she reported seeing Him alive (Mk. 16:9-11)
The Doubt of Thomas • had to see with own eyes (Jn. 20:24-29) • would not entertain the possibility unless he could see it and touch it (Rom. 8:24-25) • yet when he saw Christ, he proclaimed his faith, “my Lord and my God!” • blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed • hope does not disappoint, if it is in God (Rom. 5:3-5)
Conclusion • we know how those three days ended • Christ arose, Peter became the most outspoken of the 12, Mary wept for joy, and Thomas worshipped • we don’t know how ours will end • based on the above, it will most likely end better than what we think right now (Eph. 3:20-21)(Rom. 8:28) • our sorrow will be turned to joy, and our joy cannot be taken away (Jn. 16:20-22), if we obey!