Day of Waiting

 

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.  Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Luke 23:50-56 (NIV)

Waiting for a check to arrive. Waiting for the traffic light to change. Waiting for a phone call. Waiting to see a doctor. 

 

            Every day we wait for something. Significant and insignificant. Sometimes with anticipation and other times with dread. 

 

            After His crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples, women who stood at the foot of the cross, Roman soldiers, Pilate and religious leaders waited. 

 

            The women waited to finish adding spices to His lifeless body after the Sabbath. His disciples waited in a locked room wondering if they would die for being with Him. Roman soldiers guarded the tomb and waited for followers to try to steal His body to “prove” He rose. Jewish leaders waited for normalcy to return to their lives. Pilate waited for peace to return to his jurisdiction. 

 

            During the silence of Saturday, the world waited with impatience, confusion, and sadness. 

 

            Although thousands experienced Jesus’ miracles and teachings, His death squashed hope. Brought despair and uncertainty. 

 

            For Christians, the silence of Saturday brings a time of contemplation and reflection. Time to examine beliefs,  prioritize lives and remember the agony of the cross. 

 

            Embrace the solemn silence of Saturday before the joy and excitement of Easter. 

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to die for us. Amen.