Remember that feeling you got as a little kid, knowing that Christmas was the next day? You could hardly sleep and every little noise made you think Santa was on his way. I wonder if anyone in Jesus’ circle of influence felt that was on Saturday, knowing that He had told them He would rise on the third day – tomorrow.

Do you suppose they were excited? Confused? Terrified? Skeptical? I think they were all that and more. Sure they saw Him perform endless miracles that they had witnessed first hand. But there was one difference – He was alive. How was He supposed to make himself alive again if he was dead? No one had seen a dead person perform a mircle.

There are no accounts of who was doing what on the day before the resurrection. What would they have been doing?

Waiting.   In anticipation of something greater. Something wonderful. A promise fulfilled. A hope unimaginable. A joy beyond measure. I think they were waiting, even in fear. Just like a child at Christmas and I think God was watching the faith, the hope, the joy of His children as they waited for Him to give the most wonderful gift… He was giving His Son back. For good.

I think that God was a bit excited, too – waiting to see the smile of His children when they saw their gift.