God sleeps while the storm rages on.

One of the strangest and mysterious glimpses into the life of Jesus deals with 2 conflicting events. In the 8th chapter of Matthew's gospel, we read the story of the disciples on a boat in a storm and Jesus is sleeping. They wake Him and confront Him with that question that we have all wrestled with;

Lord, do you not care that we are perishing?

18 chapters later, God flips the script and it is Jesus is the grips of fear and agony, in the Garden of Gethsemane, while it is His disciples who cannot stay awake. In the first instance, the disciples experience the agony of feeling that God has abandoned them in their time of need, that He is - literally- sleeping, while they are dying. In the second instance, Jesus embraces that agony and makes it His own, that He might make it Holy and Salvific.

This duality of circumstances should bring comfort to any true believer trying with all his/her might to continue walking towards the Lord even as He withdraws all light and solace and each footstep is a cold and difficult slog.

When God withdraws Himself from us, His creatures are sure to follow and we can be left all alone with no friend, or even family member, left to console us. Left alone in turmoil and bitterness at 1:38 in the morning, I feel now, again that turmoil and emptiness.

However, this is no ordinary morning, this is the 7th day on which God rested. In a new tomb, hewn out by Joseph of Arimathea, the I AM sleeps while wind and wave swirls through my heart and soul, battering me mercilessly.

I am in utter turmoil. He is asleep. This is Holy Saturday, about to dawn, in a world at war.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Click to listen to special version created by Lisa and myself) opens our special video "The case for Easter" attempts to capture some of the solemness of this night into a tangible form but there is really no way to clearly and accurately express it. It must be felt. That is why Jesus forced Himself to experience it.

By forcing Himself to experience our most bitter agony, Jesus built a bridge by which we might experience His transforming power and love. In a world filled with cold and heartless people, Jesus meets us where we are because it is impossible for us to get to where He is without His help.

Just when you feel all mystery has been exhausted and nothing remains but blackness, He draws you to Him while He sleeps in the tomb, not to keep you there but that you may one day experience the greatest joy, rising from the darkest place.

True, my soul is very much disturbed this morning and it's hard to hold onto hope in this evil world filled with evil people. In that respect, this morning is not much different from many other ordinary mornings. This is no ordinary morning. This is Holy Saturday. In that day is a reminder that my resurrection draws nigh. My job now is to take my rest. Lord, calm my soul and quiet the wind and waves. Give me another few moments rest that I may continue my walk towards you. Anyone who has an extra prayer to spare, I can use it.

From Cherry Maestro Mallorca