Here's the Point from CrossPoint Christian Church in Whittier, CA

Since it was The Day of Preparation, Jewish leaders didn't want to leave bodies on the crosses during the Sabbath. Jesus didn't have a pre-arranged burial plan as in modern day practice, but God did have a plan for his burial and resurrection. Imagine the amazement of the downhearted disciples when they got the news that the tomb was empty!

Even as he planned to take part in the Passover meal, Jesus knew the time had come for him to leave this world. He knew that his disciples would have a hard time understanding what was about to happen, so he tried to prepare them and told them to not let their hearts be troubled. They still didn’t understand. This was the last Passover meal he would share with them, and they did not know the darkness that was about to descend.

As word of Jesus and his teaching spread, throughout the country, it became clearer that some did not realize who he was. He asked his disciples what people were saying about him and who he was--and he asked them directly who they thought he was. He was heavenly, but he was also human. What made Jesus heavenly? What made him human?

It didn't take long for people who came into contact with him to know that Jesus was no ordinary man. He claimed to be the son of God with authority. This was blasphemy to the Jews. Here he was--claiming to be the son of God and speaking with such authority. They were amazed and tried to stump him on more than one occasion with what they considered to be "hard" questions. Sometimes he taught in parables to help people relate to the message. He used a parable to talk about the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13. What parables have helped you understand more?

As Jesus began to teach, there were some who believed, some who thought he was possessed and some who truly doubted. He gained followers every where he went as people witnessed miracles they had never seen before. His disciples sometimes failed to understand his teachings and asked for deeper understanding. Do you seek deeper understanding of Jesus and his message?

Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of a king, a savior, a redeemer, but what was expected and what was delivered was different than what people thought. That's life, isn't it? Sometimes we look to God to meet our expectations but sometimes what he gives is much different.