Mark 10:32-34 | They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
DO YOU BELIEVE IT?
It had been three days since the crucifixion. Jesus had promised that on the third day he would rise (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34). Friday was day one. Saturday was day two. Friday evening was quiet. Saturday was sad. On Friday the devils danced. On Saturday the demons feasted. On Friday the disciples fled. On Saturday they wept. On Friday heaven’s finest Son died and was buried. On Saturday he spoke not a word. On Friday the angels lowered their heads. On Saturday they kept their vigil. But on Sunday, on the third day, in the predawn hours, in the heart of Joseph’s tomb, the heart of Jesus began to beat.
Oh, to have seen the moment. To have heard the sudden intake of air. To have observed the eyes of Jesus blink open and seen a smile. Don’t you know a smile spread across the Victor’s face! The first breath of Christ meant the final breath of death.