Isaac was utterly dead in Abraham’s heart and mind until the third day, when Abraham received new orders from God. Each day for three days, he thought that all was lost. O Lord Jesus, You were truly dead until the third day. Your disciples thought that all was lost as far as Your life was concerned. For those three days Mary felt once again how she had felt when she had lost You for three days when Your were twelve years old. Yet Your death is my life, for by Your death You won for me life …
On the third day Isaac lived again to Abraham’s heart. On the third day Isaac was pulled from his anguish of death by the angel’s bidding. O Lord Jesus, You also were taken away from oppression and judgment on the third day (as Isaiah 53:8 had prophesied), just as You preached from the sign of the prophet Jonah (Matt. 12:40). Like a victor You burst death’s prison. You broke his bonds so that he can now no longer hold believing Christians captive. Out of Your most holy tomb You brought for us these three articles of our faith: (1) the forgiveness of sins, (2) the hope of the resurrection of the body, and (3) the life everlasting—certainly, truly, and Amen.
Therefore, as You Yourself rose from the dead on the third day, so You will also raise us on the third day, as Hosea 6:2 says: “He will revive us after two days, He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him.”
First we have our day of death; second, our day of rest in the grave; third, the blessed Last Day. On that day, which is our third day, we will all celebrate our joyous Easter. Blessedly grant it, O Lord Jesus.
Valerius Herberger The Great Works of God: Parts Three and Four: The Mysteries of Christ in the Book of Genesis, Chapters 16-50 104-106