Between His Death and Resurrection

This is an illustration that I have put together over time that I have found to be very powerful and encouraging. There are not many details in the bible of what happened during the 3-day period between Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. Putting this in story form and allowing for a bit of drama, I think this illustration describes best how events might have taken place.

Picture the crucifixion scene:
There is Jesus on the cross between two theives, breathing his last breaths.
At the foot of the cross is Mary, and a few other loyal followers watching their Messiah die.
There is someone else standing in the background - Satan himself.
As Jesus utters his last words, "It is finished," he hangs his head and "gives up the ghost."
With a big smile, Satan turns and walks down to his Hell House.

As Satan enters, a third of the angels stand at attention, awaiting their next order.
Satan declares, "Turn on the music! Start the celebration! Jesus is dead!"
And the party of a lifetime, like no one had ever seen, began to commence.

Back in Jerusalem, in dark corners and quiet places, the disciples, or what seemed left of them, and the other followers met secretly trying to figure out what to do.
"What happened? He spoke so much of this kingdom to come, and now the very king is dead!"
All victory seemed lost.

Back in Satan's Hell House, the party was reaching its climax. For 3 days those demons and goblins had celebrated and "partied like it was 1999" (I like to make this part comical)
The strobe lights were going, the disco ball was spinning, confetti was flying.
A group demons had began a mosh pit, one was in the corner as a DJ mixing the music, and another was on the other side rapping, singing and dancing! (give a small example)

And just when the party was reaching its climax of all time . . . there was a knock at the door.
The party stopped, the demons froze, and Satan barged his way through to the door screaming mad "Who dares interrupt my party? Don't they know we're celebrating?"
Just as Satan is about to reach for the door knob, a nail-scarred hand transcends through the door!
Satan is perplexed as this hand begins to push him back, and slowly, the very face of the one he crucified appears through the door.

"NO, NO, NO, this can't be! I watched you die! I saw you on the cross! This is impossible!"
Jesus never says a word, but just pushes Satan up against the wall and then begins walking around the room. Satan can't move as he just stares in shock!
Demons are frozen in fear and none dare move, but Jesus doesn't bother with them.
He's looking for something. What is it?

Suddenly, Jesus reaches down and picks up.....a key.
He walks around to the other side and finds another key, and another. (Demonstrate this)
He begins to pick up keys to: depression, anxiety, divorce, marriage problems, financial situations, valleys of decisions, troubles, trials.... (and the list goes on)
He gathers up all the keys until his arms are completely full, and he doesn't leave a one behind, and he begins to walk back towards the door.

But suddenly, he stops and turns to look at Satan, still paralyzed against the wall, and finally speaks: "You idiot, you just don't get it do you? Don't you remember in my word where it says (and be ready say this with all the energy and force you can muster) that "the gates of hell shall not prevail!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And he still has the keys today to every trial and problem any one will ever face! He conquered death and the grave, and he took back the keys!