Those items that we love, we tend to protect more, we hold a firmer grip on them, because of the emotional attachment that we have towards them. What is important to you may hold absolutely no value to me, and vice versa.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15)
That which we cherish the most is usually that which cannot be replaced, and human beings are at the top of that list, pets may be a close second. When the Lord died on that cross all hope was gone, for what had been told to his friends had not been made clear to them, the mystery had not been revealed. Mary wanted to know where they had taken His body, (John 20:15) the two on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Him, Thomas doubted. Even though the Lord had brought people back from the dead, no one had ever died and then returned on their own from the grave, He was the first.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:13)
I doubt very much that there is any possession that you have ever had in your life that you are hoping will be returned to you, as it were, when you reach heaven, no favorite toy from your youth long gone, no book that was misplaced, no item that could never be replaced, I doubt very much that you will have photos of long lost friends and family hanging on the walls of your home in heaven, they are either there with you, or in hell. When Jesus died, all that He taught remained with those that were still here, but without the Master present, there was no power to continue in the work, they were just men and women with words and memories. They had an account to give, but nothing to back up anything they said.
Faith in anything does little good if it cannot be proven as reality. Two things happened in those three days that He was gone, all those who knew Him were beyond despondent, and all those who had wanted Him dead were ecstatic, their rule over the people could now go on unquestioned. If you have ever lost a loved one, be it man or a beloved pet, you know that feeling of loss, of the permanence of that time, they are not coming back, the grave will not release them, as time goes on, the Lord is merciful to us, for we have hope, we know by the assurance of His promises that those who also know Him as Lord we will see again, and they are indeed our true family.
During those three days, those that loved Jesus had no hope, He was dead, the “movement,” the way, had come to an end. With their leader gone, there was nothing left to do but hide from the Jewish leaders behind locked doors, (John 20:19) hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. I don’t know if anyone has ever experienced the elation of those who were present when the Lord suddenly appeared in their midst, great fear moving to doubt, and then a confidence that few today who claim Jesus Christ as Lord can comprehend, He is risen. Few soldiers on the front line of any battle ever moved with such confidence, with so little doubt, and after the Holy Spirit came upon them, indwelt them, all doubt was gone, He is risen, and we will be with Him where He is.
The One that we love above all others has given us promises, and to those who obey His Word, (John 14:15) He is Faithful and True. That which we have never seen awaits us, He who we love above all others has given us His word, and by the obedience of faith, we are assured in that faith that He has so graciously given us. Strive to be fruitful in the knowledge of those promises, hold fast to that which He has blessed you with, He is risen, and we will be with Him where He is soon enough, until that day, walk in the confidence of the promises. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
