"Daddy, were they sad the day after Jesus was
crucified," little Billy asked, at the start of his Close-My-Eyes story.
"Yes, they were very sad. They had lost a friend, some had lost family. They
all were sad," big Bill, little Billy's father, explained. "But they also
had a lot to do. The Jewish day of preparation was approaching and they had to make
sure they did everything they had to do with Jesus' body before that time.
"They were not going to use an undertaker, I do not even know if there was such a
thing at that time, but they were going to apply the traditional spices and linen to
Jesus' body. They were going to prepare Jesus themselves, with a lot of love,"
his father said.
"If yesterday was Good Friday, I guess you could call today Sad
Saturday," little Billy pondered out loud. "Jesus was not there to
comfort them today. Yesterday, he was comforting, even when He was hanging from the
cross."
"It was late Friday night," big Bill said, "When Joseph of Arimathea came
and asked Pilate for the body. Pilate gave it to him. Nicodemus joined Joseph.
Nicodemus brought with him a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds
worth. This spice mixture and line cloth was applied to the body of Jesus.
This was the traditional Jewish burial custom.
"Jesus' body then was put into a borrowed grave," big Bill said.
"Joseph had a tomb that he had prepared for himself. He gave it to
Jesus"
"Why all the hurry," little Billy asked.
"They had to get everything finished before the Jewish day of Preparation," big
Bill said.
"Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat vigil across from the tomb," big
Bill said. "They were mourning the loss of Jesus."
"It was a sad Saturday," little Billy said.
"It also was a sad problematic day for Pilate. The Pharisees reminded him
that Jesus said He would rise from the grave in three days. He knew if Jesus did as
He said, that would prove He really was God's son. The Pharisees said they feared
Jesus' followers would steal Jesus' body and then would make it appear Jesus' prophecy had
come true.," big Bill explained. "Pilate ordered the grave secured. He had
them seal the grave by placing a big stone in front of its entrance and then he posted
soldiers there to guard the grave for three days so nobody could disturb Jesus's
body."
"Were they sealing it to keep Jesus in, or to keep his disciples out,"
little Billy asked.
"A little of both," said big Bill. "But Pilate should have realized,
he could not keep a good man down."
"Maybe it was not such a sad Saturday after all," little Billy said with his
normal enthusiasm restored. "Maybe I could call it Can't wait Saturday."
"Why can't wait?" big Bill asked his beaming son.
"Because I would not be able to wait to see Jesus tomorrow. He said he would be
back in three days, so I could wait for him to fulfill His promise. He had never
broken one yet, so I would just be waiting for His return. Nothing to be sad about if you
believe He was coming back again," Billy said, proud of his own observation.
"Then you never should be sad throughout your life," big Bill said, pulling the
covers up for little Billy, "For Jesus promised us, even though He was ascending to
be with His Father, that He was coming back again. And He has not broken any of His
promises yet."
The smile on little Billy's face was enough for big Bill to know that Billy was resting
comfortably on Jesus's promises.
