Triduum - Three Holy Days of Waiting

Triduum. Oh, that Latin. In simple language ... meaning English, American at that ... it means three days. But, what three days! It begins with the Last Supper of Maundy Thursday travels through the Crucifixion of Good Friday and explodes in glory with Easter Sunday. Wait. We skipped Holy Saturday. Well, you're right. But, count in the way of the Hebrews: Thursday evening to Friday evening = Day 1; Friday evening to Saturday evening = Day 2; Saturday evening to Sunday = Day 3. So, I could say that it explodes in the glory of the resurrection on Saturday at sun-down, the beginning of the 3rd Day ... but it was in the dawn of the 3rd day that it was witnessed by the women going to the tomb. For these 3 Days we wait, we watch, we pray ... with hope and assurance. How can that be?

On Maundy Thursday we looked to Jesus with great anticipation. We sat with Jesus and his disciples around the Passover Table remembering the salvation of the Jews from the bondage and slavery in Egypt. As the evening wore on we discovered that Jesus is The Passover Lamb ... God's final act of salvation to save us from the bondage and slavery of sin. And, we discovered two things about ourselves during that meal: that we are the ones who betrayed Him ... but that He loves us anyway and wants us to love and serve one another as He loves and serves us. Is this the Glory you spoke of Jesus? How can that be?

This morning we awoke to learn of the unjust accusations, the hasty trial, further betrayals, the scorn, the ridicule, the horror ... the horror! We awoke to learn that the Son of God, very Life Himself ... is lifted up, high upon a Cross ... to die. Is this the glory of the Father that Jesus told us about during Passover? Is this the Glory you spoke of Jesus? How can it be?

This afternoon He will be laid in the tomb. And, the tomb will be sealed with a stone. All that is Light from which all light comes ... will be laid in darkness. But, in Him there is no darkness. In Him is Light! In Him is Life! Darkness cannot conquer the Light. Death cannot conquer Life. It Light and Life cannot be defeated. Is this the Glory you spoke of Jesus? How can it be?

Friday evening to Saturday evening ... this is the longest day, the most difficult day. The heavy crushing stone seals the tomb. Creation has stopped breathing. The angels are silent. We wait. We watch. We pray. Where is the Glory you spoke of Jesus? You said that you will rise up on the third day ... but how can it be?