1. The Longest Three Days

2. Three Days of Hopelessness death, burial, and resurrection – when we think of death of Christ, it is always with an understanding that he conquered death (Acts 2:22-32) – however, for this lesson, let us imagine ourselves the disciples during those three days of hopelessness hopelessness and confusion (Lk. 24:13-24) – for three days, the disciple’s thoughts were chaotic – lost even after having heard the tomb was empty! – let us look in detail at three well know examples and how they handled those three days

3. The Confused Emotions of Peter confusion/betrayal at arrest (Jn. 18:3-12) – why did He go willingly? why didn’t He let me protect Him? why did He despise my zeal? (Jn. 13:36-38) denial/remorse outside trial (Lk. 22:54-62) – Peter did not want to lose sight of Christ, but he also did not fully want to be with Him - had no direction jealousy of John’s relationship – John stayed with Jesus, not him (Jn. 18:15-18) – John did not deny Christ, he did (Jn. 21:20-21)

4. The Sorrow of the Women at the crucifixion (Lk. 23:26-27) – while the apostles fled, the women drew near, tearful – His mother stood at the foot of the cross (Jn. 19:25-27) – they were also the ones to attend to His preparation at the garden tomb (Jn. 20:11-16) – Mary Magdalene so sorrowed that she could not even conceive of the joy of His resurrection – likewise the other disciples when she reported seeing Him alive (Mk. 16:9-11)

5. The Doubt of Thomas had to see with own eyes (Jn. 20:24-29) – would not entertain the possibility unless he could see it and touch it (Rom. 8:24-25) – yet when he saw Christ, he proclaimed his faith, “my Lord and my God!” blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed – hope does not disappoint, if it is in God (Rom. 5:3-5)

6. Conclusion we know how those three days ended – Christ arose, Peter became the most outspoken of the 12, Mary wept for joy, and Thomas worshipped we don’t know how ours will end – based on the above, it will most likely end better than what we think right now (Eph. 3:20-21)(Rom. 8:28) – our sorrow will be turned to joy, and our joy cannot be taken away (Jn. 16:20-22), if we obey!