By Lois Hewitt

Holy Saturday.  Friday is over but Sunday is not yet here.  Today two quiet followers of Jesus make it known that He was the Messiah.

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, were members of the Sanhedrin, the court that had condemned Jesus Christ to death.

They quietly watched as Jesus ministered to those around Him.  They watched and listened. They had to be afraid to publicly support Jesus because of their positions in the church.

But on Saturday, as they prepared the body of Jesus for burial, they made their beliefs known.  They had to be a little scared but decided it was the right thing to do.

For so many years, I followed Jesus but He was a buddy, a pal.  I had some reverence but not in the amount I should have.  Although I was not the ideal follower, I did learn something.

I learned that He is indeed my friend.  A friend Who cares for me, Who weeps with me, Who laughs with me.  I was not the perfect follower but I actually learned to depend on Him.

I did not have the understanding I have now.  I, although am so very ashamed now, cursed Him.  I yelled at Him.  I questioned if He was real and if so, why was He so cruel to me at times.

Those were heady days, my friend.  I longed for a child and I longed to be healed and those things stayed distant.

I was not an ideal follower but in those dark days…years… I learned to rely on Him.

Then the time came were He has allowed me more understanding and knowledge. Free am I from those old thoughts and confusions. Once in a while I catch myself asking “why”  but I no longer need an answer because I know the plan is good.

So like Nicodemus and Joseph, I have come out of hiding. I still consider Jesus my friend, but now the relationship has moved to a new level.  He is my Teacher, my Protector, my Comforter and my Saving Grace.  He is more to me than I ever dreamed.

On this, relatively quiet, Saturday before the celebration of the resurrection, I contemplate all Jesus has done for me and I humbly fall at His feet in absolute gratitude for all things He has done and is yet to do.

If I had been with Jesus in His time on earth, I may very well have denied Him in fear.  But today I proudly claim my postion as a child of Jesus.  With gratitude unending.

I will no doubt have periods of uncertainty, life throws those curveballs our way, but to recover quickly from such times will be the goal.  I want no distance between Him and me.

As long as we have breath, we have the opportunity to grow deeper in Him. The old things we did are learning experiences. I was not the perfect follower, nor will I ever be, but we are not called to perfection.  We are called to love Him. I embrace that calling today. Do you?

Saturday’s events are recorded in Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56, and John 19:40.