The world stood in silence as the spotless Lamb hung on the cross। Most in attendance looked on, not realizing the act of love they were witnessing as the divine Creator willfully laid down his life for them. They mocked and laughed.
What did those who loved Jesus do in the between time from nine to noon when sand began to swirl and darkness began to descend? What were their thoughts?
Many of Jesus followers watched from a distance, and only a handful drew near the cross; John, Mary the mother of Jesus and Jude his brother, Salome (John's mother), Mary the wife of Clopas and sister of Jesus' mother, Mary Magdalene, and Rebecca (of Sepphoris), and a group of earnest women believers.
What happened, other than what is written in the scripture, from noon to three in the afternoon? What was on the mind of those that loved Jesus?
Some believe that the women stayed at the cross until Jesus died, while others believe that Jesus sent away Mary, and the other women of her family as well as Mary Magdalene and John's mother. Whichever is the case, it is clear that John was present when Jesus took his last breath.
Jesus died and the earth groaned.
Have you ever thought about what happened in the between time after John watched as Joseph and Nicodemus took away the body of Jesus?
Surely, after the death of the Jesus Christ the women left; the men with them as they helped find a resting place for the women. I can see them in my mind's eye, walking away, broken hearted, heads cast down, tear stains upon their faces, fresh tears slowly streaming down, the lingering remembrance of the promise of eternal life now seemed like a distant hope.
John, walking alone, an ache in his heart, but eyes lifted toward the heavens and clinging to the promise of the third day.
All of the earth's hope rested in the morning of the third day.
