The New Day

The time has come.

Jesus, kneeling down in the garden, pours out his heart to God, "Father!" he cries, "if you are willing, take this cup from me." Filled with anguish at the great immensity of what is going to happen to him, his sweat pours to the ground like drops of blood.

Looking up at the moon dimly shining behind the dark clouds of the foggy night, Jesus puts all of his focus on his Father. Drawing in a breath, he says, "Yet not my will, but yours be done."

Shaking, he is filled with strength. The cup would not be taken; God's will would be done, and the way could finally be paved over the separation between man and God when it was finished.

Rising from prayer, Jesus returns to where he has left his closest disciples to pray.

They are asleep, exhausted from the night already full of sorrow. Approaching them, Jesus asks, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation!"

The disciples jump up, startled from their exhausted slumber; a bewildered look fills their eyes as if they can sense the events about to happen.

They all turn as lights flicker through the trees of the mist-shrouded garden. Shouts and the jangling clothing of the soldiers echo throughout the night that has suddenly turned silent, as if sensing the malicious presence drifting throughout the trees.

Footsteps cause the ground to tremble as Jesus' captors are lead to the garden by one of Jesus' own, Judas Iscariot.

The disciples are dumb-founded as Jesus steps forward as if to greet this hungry pack of soldiers led by the very disciple who betrayed his loyalty.

Fear begins to wrap its deceiving fingers around their hearts, pumping through their veins, No Jesus! Why would you face them? The thought hammers in their heads as Judas steps forward.

"Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Jesus asks Judas. The question is gentle, and somehow loving and kind! Loving to the one who just handed him into the hands of the people who are going to brutally torture him?

The disciples go into chaos as the soldiers surround Jesus and Judas backs up as if just realizing what he has done.

The soldiers' malicious eyes glint at the idea of their evil victory; they finally have Jesus of Nazareth within their vise-like grip.

And although hatred shines in the soldiers' eyes as they wrap their chains around him, love shines within Jesus' eyes as he allows himself to be chained.

Suddenly, Peter's sword is whipped out of its scabbard, the metal flashing in the dim light of the moon like a bright streak of lightening. Peter slashes his weapon through the ear of the soldier next to Jesus, and the man falls to the ground, groaning in pain as blood falls over his hand pressed in agonized horror over where his ear just was.

As everyone erupts into chaos, Jesus looks to Peter and shouts, "No more of this!" Stepping forward, Jesus lays a gentle hand on the shoulder of the soldier gripping his head in pain. His eyes shine with love as he gazes into the bewildered eyes of the soldier and carefully lays his hand over the side of the soldier's head, healing his ear.

The soldier stands there agape as Jesus rises once more and allows himself to be brought back into the hands of his captors.

The soldier is speechless. Why on earth would Jesus choose to heal the man who was about to bring him to be tortured?

As Jesus is lead away, all that fills the soldier's reeling mind is the love that had shone in Jesus' eyes. Perhaps this man really is who he says he is. The single thought pierces the soldier's mind like the sword that pierced his ear just one minute before.

Jesus is taken away to the house of the high priest, and the entire assembly leads him to Pilate the next day, accusing him for what they think Jesus has done wrong with stinging hatred.

Eventually learning that Jesus is under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate chooses to send Jesus to Herod.

Jesus gives no answer as Herod hurls question after question at him, and Jesus is taken back to Pilate.

Pilate tries to call over the chaotic shouting as Jesus is brought back into his vicinity.

They want his blood; they are screaming for him to be crucified.

His mind reels with perplexity, why do they want this man dead? He has done nothing wrong!

The crowd continues to shout vehemently; it is as if a surge of chaotic hatred pulses through the mob like an angry river.

They are shouting for Barabbas to be released! A criminal for a man who never did anything wrong?

Pilate wants to smack sense into the heads of every one of these raging people, but there will certainly be a riot if he doesn't put a stop to this.

Pilate presses his hand to his forehead and glares at the screaming crowd of people.

His mind is heavy with dread and sorrow as he finally gives the command and allows Jesus to be surrendered to their lawless will.

Pilate feels sorry for him. Jesus stands there calmly as the crowd yells frantically. It is as if Jesus is wrapped in a bubble of peace.

That's when Jesus looks up at Pilate, his eyes are filled with love. Love! But also something else Pilate can't quite place. Joy?

Pilate is taken-aback, how could this man be filled with such emotions in this swirling chaos, shouldn't fear take the sanity of a man who was just sentenced to be crucified?

Pilate watches as Jesus is lead out; people spit on him, jeering stinging words at his expense and slapping him in the face. Jesus endures their mockery, allowing himself to be lead like a lamb to the slaughterer.

If Jesus really is who he says he is, why doesn't he save himself? Pilate thinks. If he can perform miracles, why not call down the wrath of God on this evil mob?

Something inside Pilate tells him there is something so much deeper, so much vaster, beyond understanding, that is going on. As Jesus disappears from his view, a single tear slides down Pilate's solemn face.

Jesus is taken away to be crucified. The crowd continues to scream and push at him like vultures with black, soulless eyes pecking at their prey.

As Jesus climbs Skull Hill, a crown of thorns punctures the top of his head; his blood streams down his forehead, running into his eyes and turning the world into a red haze.

His physical strength is seeping away, it feels as though he can't function any longer, his body racked with horrible pain.

Another man is forced to carry Jesus' cross up the hill for him as Jesus stumbles up the hill.

The whole world seems to be filled with humming, spinning, chaotic noise. The crowd shouts their gleeful revenge while others weep in agony, their eyes puffy with long hours of sorrow.

A small group of women stumble after Jesus, sobs racking their bodies, tears streaming down their dusty faces. Jesus turns and says to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me,"

This only seems to make them weep more as Jesus climbs the final stretch of the hill and is roughly pushed forward to be nailed to the cross.

Hanging from that cursed tree, the horrible pain Jesus was in before somehow only increases, pounding through his body, never giving him any hint of relief, but still, he fixes his eyes on God, whispering these words through his cracked lips, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

As he speaks these words to God, his captors divide up his clothes by casting lots, playing games as the Messiah suffers on a cross so that they might be able to receive forgiveness and eternal life, if they so choose to accept the grace that Jesus will soon hold out.

The two criminals crucified on either side of Jesus' cross wonder at the ruckus being caused by the man in between them. One mocks him, jeering like the crowd that brought him to this place.

The other rebukes the criminal mocking Jesus, "Don't you fear God? We are punished justly, but this man has done nothing wrong!"

This man realizes who Jesus is; he knows with his whole entire heart that Jesus is the Saviour, and he is this man's Saviour. He turns to Jesus then, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!"

Jesus answers him with wonderful assurance, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

The criminal is filled with joy at the words, and somehow, his hurting body floods with peace. He is forgiven.

At the sixth hour, darkness creeps over the whole land like an encroaching storm waiting to strike; the sun's promising light is hidden by the dark until the ninth hour.

Then it came, like a rushing torrent, the temple curtain rips in two. The thick layers, crumpling to the ground as the separation's bridge is finally built.

Jesus cries out at the weight of all the sins of the world, separating him from his constant, close connection to his Father, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Jesus looks up to the dark sky, crying out the heavens, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Taking one last breath, he shouts, "It is finished!"

Jesus' heart stops beating, his lungs stop breathing and his eyes close.

Jesus is buried, and as the stone rolls into place with a thunderous rumble, the darkness rejoices as though heaven has just lost the battle. Death has taken the Saviour; what power does Jesus have now that he is within the grip of the very separation between man and God?

The world mourns the next day. It is silent as the disciples huddle together, in disbelief that their Lord has just died. The world seems to press down as the women weep, choking on their tears; the children look on with wide eyes at their grief-stricken mothers.

It seems as if darkness has come to rule the world.

But the darkness's rejoicing will be soon cut short, for it has forgotten one very important thing. Sunday. The new day is coming.

Dawn.

The sun peeks over the horizon of the new day, piercing through the dark, starless sky.

The sunbeams slant through the trees of the garden, making golden pools on the rocks of Jesus' tomb.

The morning dew begins to rise into the air, creating hazy morning mist with shimmering rainbows reflecting in its tiny water droplets.

All of a sudden, as if a conductor has just picked up his baton and the orchestra begins to play, the birds burst into joyous song, and the sun rises up above the horizon, flooding the new day with its glorious golden beams.

That's when the darkness fled. Fleeing from the unstoppable light bursting forth into the morning.

The soldiers guarding the tomb, barely staying awake as they lean on the rocks with their eyes half-closed are suddenly thrown back as bright white light floods the day.

A shining figure pushes away the tombstone and it rolls across the grass, falling to the ground far from the tomb with a loud, final thud.

Life seeps back into Jesus like a wonderful rushing river, and breath comes back into his lungs. As his eyes open, they are filled with such incredible, dancing joy, shining in the golden light flooding through the open entrance to the tomb.

Jesus steps out of the grave, the final strands of death no longer clinging to him, left behind forevermore. Defeated.

The new day heralds Jesus as the sun rises higher into the light blue sky, shining into every dark crack and crevice, the birds singing of the new joy and hope.

Breathing in the fresh morning air, filled with vibrant colors and joyous sounds, Jesus walks into the garden, a smile gracing his lips, the way is finally paved.

Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb this morning. Grief has filled her for two days now; her eyes have cried so many tears. She wants to stand at her Lord's tomb this morning; perhaps her grief will somehow ease.

The morning is beautiful, the birds sing a joyous song as the sun rises higher into the misty sky. Grief still floods through Mary, even though the morning is glorious. How could a morning be so happy when her Lord is in the grave?

Mary can see the garden now with the large tomb in the middle.

Nearing the tomb, Mary realizes something is different. Hadn't she been told that a large rock had covered the entrance to the grave?

Looking to the side of the garden, Mary spots the massive stone flat on the ground far from the entrance.

Filled with alarm, Mary runs the last stretch to the stairs leading down into the tomb and almost trips down them in her rush.

Looking around the tomb, Mary finds it completely empty.

Her heart begins to beat frantically. Someone has taken her Lord's body!

A sob escapes her lips as Mary continues to stare at the empty tomb, how could someone do this?

Mary turns around and runs back out of the tomb. She must find his disciples.

Finding Peter and John, she tells them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!"

Peter and John are equally alarmed and run the entire way to the tomb. They see the strips of linen and the burial cloth lying there just like Mary said.

The disciples return to their homes bewildered, but Mary chooses to stay at the tomb, standing outside of it weeping, covering her face with her hands as her tears fall to the ground.

As if, perhaps, she had been imagining the whole thing, Mary bends over to peer into the tomb once more.

Her tears slow as she she sees two angels sitting inside, dressed in brilliant white. They ask her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

Another sob escapes her as Mary stands in the entrance of the tomb explaining, "They have taken my Lord away, and I don't know where they have put him."

Mary turns as a voice speaks from behind her, her eyes pooling with more tears and spilling down her cheeks as he too asks her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

More sobs escape her as she realizes it is the gardener. Perhaps he has taken Jesus body elsewhere? "Sir," she asks him, "if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

The man laughs then, holding out his hands to her, "Mary."

The blur of Mary's tears clear, and realization washes over her; in front of her is not the gardener, it is her Lord!! Rushing forward, she cries, "Rabboni!"

Mary's tears turn from sorrow to indescribable joy as she rushes to Jesus and falls at his feet; her grief is torn away like a storm rolling back and finally revealing the shining, golden sun.

It is true! He has defeated death! Such joy rushes through her as she looks up at Jesus' smiling, laughing face, the sun making him shine. She believes!

She has known all along, but now she knows with full assurance; Jesus is the Messiah, the one prophesied long ago to be the compensation for sins.

Jesus is offering forgiveness to Mary once more, and she accepts it with an open heart.

Tears of absolute joy spill down her face as she holds onto him, "Lord, Lord!"

Jesus smiles the most kind smile Mary has ever seen saying, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

Mary nods, a smile lighting up her entire face and joy thrumming in her veins as she wipes away her tears and begins to step away from Jesus. She is more alive than she has ever felt before!

"Yes Lord!" she cries.

Mary turns and runs out of the garden; no hint of grief fills her now. It is as if she has been dead her whole life and has just now become alive!

The colours of the morning are clearer than they have ever been before, as if she was blind and could now clearly see.

She must go tell the disciples; Jesus was dead, but now he is alive!

Death is defeated! She could live on earth with the promise of eternity always in her heart!

The new day has burst forth in glorious beauty, enveloping the darkness of yesterday in its blinding golden light.

He is risen! she cries, He is alive! The new day has begun!

(Depiction taken from Luke 22:39 - 23:56 and John 20:1-18)