Anticipation 

   He is dead; He is in the tomb and the tomb is sealed and guarded.  The world waits in anticipation.

   Do the Jewish religious leaders think they have stopped Him?  Are they questioning their decision?  Does the veil before the holy of holies hang in tatters as a sign that the door to the true holy of holies, heaven itself, has now been opened?

   What of Pilate?  His wife had warned Him of a dream about Jesus.  She had told him that Jesus was a holy man and begged Pilate not to become involved with Him.  Still, he responded to the possibility of riot in Jerusalem rather than to Jesus.  He washed his hands of the whole affair, but the blood of Christ will remain.

   The apostles are in hiding.  Do they still believe that Jesus is the Messiah or are they too questioning?  Thomas, the doubter, will refuse to believe until he touches the nail holes in His hands and puts his hand into the side of Jesus.

   If we could hear the dead, I believe we would hear rejoicing.  Rejoicing that the Savior has come to them, offering them the opportunity to join Him in paradise just as He had the good thief on the cross.

   Most importantly of all, what about us?  Are we sorrowing for His death even though we are anticipating His resurrection?  Do we fully realize all He has done for us?  Between now and His resurrection tomorrow, let us take the time to reflect on His life, passion, and death.  Let us prepare our hearts and our souls to welcome Him into our lives.  And then, on that morning of His rising from death to life, let us celebrate the salvation He offers to each of us.