Let’s face it: these are truly uncertain times. We listen intently to those who are supposedly experts telling us what we can expect in the coming days, weeks, and months. Those expectations have changed radically over the course of time as fresh, new statistics continue to show the experts really don’t have a clue. Their speculations are much better than the average Joe or Judy on the street, but still, they are only speculations. Even the most learned, educated, and qualified to make statements concerning the present state of Covid-19 have been proven wrong on many occasions. It seems that the only real certainty is that nothing is certain.

I am writing this blog on Palm Sunday. Allow me to review the story briefly. Jesus makes His way into the city of Jerusalem. It is truly a sight to behold as He enters the city, and the crowds gather to see this Man who had captured the attention of the world. Many in the crowd began to spread their clothes on the road, while others cut branches from trees and spread them out before Jesus. It was at this point that the crowds began shouting:

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:9

This event was the moment in time that changed everything. It started a series of events that would take place over the next several days which would ultimately lead to Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, false accusation, and crucifixion. What appeared on Palm Sunday to be the crowning moment His disciples had long awaited and anticipated, became the beginning of the end – at least for their dreams and expectations.

The disciples watched, day after day, as Jesus confronted different groups concerning their false hopes which were based on false beliefs. He systematically destroyed the arguments of the chief priest, the elders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Herodians. In doing this, His enemies became more antagonistic toward Him than ever before. They were even more determined to destroy Jesus before He could do more damage to their false religious system.

Over the next few days, it became obvious that what seemed so certain on Palm Sunday was becoming more uncertain by the moment. The crowds began to dwindle down in size. Those who had just a few days before shouted accolades to Jesus were now quiet, subdued, uncertain of the events unfolding before them. Their voices now silenced, they waited anxiously to see what might come out of these events.

Finally, after watching the tide turn against Jesus, those who had once shouted accolades now shouted accusation. As Jesus was tried and pronounced guilty of trumped-up charges, they were caught up in the frenzy of the moment. As the religious leaders cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” the chant grew louder and louder as the multitude was swayed in riotous agreement with them.

The disciples watched in horror as Jesus was sentenced to die. The certainty they had felt a few days earlier is shattered, and the uncertainty of the moment sank in. Jesus, their leader, their Savior, their Lord, was now dead. Can you imagine what they might have felt in those next three days?

Darkness. Despair. Hopelessness. Loss. Meaninglessness. Grief. Sadness. A sense of horror. A feeling of anguish. A rush of guilt. A flood of memories. An avalanche of abandonment. The crush of defeat. The reality of death. The confusion. The perplexity. The misunderstanding. The displaced faith. ALL IS LOST!
Can you imagine how they tried to reason through the events of the last hours. How they had been so deceived to follow Jesus, with all His outlandish claims, and His lofty teachings? How they had forsaken all to follow Him? And now THIS! THIS?
The crush of Saturday is settling in. The reality of His death is taking hold. The loss of everything has taken all hope, and left them reeling in the aftermath.

This is exactly how many seem to be feeling in this time of uncertainty. The disciples isolated themselves behind closed doors, just as many are doing now. Some out of obedience to the stay-at-home instructions from our local and federal government, but some out of sheer fear because of the uncertainty of what might be happen if we should step outside of our homes.

But let’s remember: the darkness and despair were dispelled on Sunday! For the disciples, cowered behind closed, bolted doors, the news of the resurrection shattered the shackles of darkness and gave them a renewed sense of hope. The uncertainty caused by Jesus’ death is now replaced with the certainty of His power over death, hell and the grave. Those who had been paralyzed by the reality of His death are now set free by the power of His resurrection.

As I stated in my last blog, our only hope is Jesus Christ. The disciples learned that on resurrection Sunday. For those of us who have entrusted our lives to Jesus Christ as our only means of salvation, we now have the same Spirit living within us as did the disciples. Their fear was replaced with boldness. The cloud of uncertainty was replaced with the light of certainty: certainty that they were now victors, regardless of what life might throw their way.

At the present time we are voluntarily practicing safe-distancing, and staying at home except for doing the things outside the home that are necessary. But please know: this, too, will pass. Look above the cloud of uncertainty to the throne of the One who gives certainty. Let’s keep our eyes on Him – the Author and Finisher of our faith.

And above all, remember this: SUNDAY’S COMING!