The Three Days

Originally published by The Round Farmhouse on April 19, 2025.

“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Matthew 16:21 ESV

I wonder how Jesus’ followers felt during the hours between His death and resurrection. Those who sought to crucify Jesus thought they won, and Jesus’ followers thought their battle was lost. Even though Jesus told His disciples multiple times that He had to die and would rise three days later (Matthew 16:21; 17:22; 20:17-18), they didn’t understand and couldn’t see past the predicted suffering to the victory on the third day.

I’ve been lied to before and it didn’t leave me in the best state of mind. I can’t imagine if the person I put my trust and hope in was killed before my eyes.

What about the Messiah they were promised in the Old Testament? What about the miracles they witnessed? What about the promises they heard?

It didn’t make sense to them. . . but it made sense as part of God’s plan.

But did Jesus’ followers think about the three days?

Jesus’ accusers knew about the three days: “The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said,’ Sir, we remember how that imposter said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise’” (Matthew 27:62-63 ESV). To hang onto every thread of control, they sealed the tomb with a stone and a guard. And guess what – the fact that the tomb was sealed only made the Resurrection more miraculous in the eyes of the people.

Even though Jesus’ death and resurrection was foretold in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, His followers couldn’t rationalize Jesus’ death and resurrection, and so they couldn’t understand God’s plan. And yet, God followed through with His plan anyway. Even though Isaiah prophesied it, and Jesus himself foretold it, and His followers still didn’t fully believe. . . He did it anyway.

Because God can’t fail.

And what happens today doesn’t dictate what will happen tomorrow, even if all seems lost. Jesus’ followers suffered greatly on Good Friday, remaining lost and hidden. If only they knew the joy that was coming with the morning!

May we always be grateful that God doesn’t cancel His plans when we can’t understand what He’s doing.