Today is a day of waiting. Like the disciples we rest, we wonder, and we wait. The disciples, in fear, waited and wondered in hiding. All of them rested on the Sabbath. We know from their responses on Sunday that they weren’t ready for, nor were they anticipating the resurrection.
It is in that readiness and anticipation that we differ from the eleven men who rested on that Sabbath. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! We know Jesus didn’t stay in the grave! We know God raised Him from the dead! We know He lives! Instead of the dread and grief of the first disciples, we share the anticipation the early church catechumens experienced just before Resurrection Sunday.
We look forward to the celebration. We anticipate the joy. Our hearts are ready after forty days of preparation. In context, though, today is the Sabbath. It’s a day for reflection. The eleven men and the other followers of Jesus who were with them had nothing but questions the day after Friday—the day when they rested.
What happened yesterday? Why did it happen? What comes next? We really believed He was the Messiah; how could our hopes be destroyed so completely? They were full of questions and fear. They were full of doubt and dismay. Saturday wasn’t as bad as Friday, but no one was calling it “Good Saturday!”
I invite you to let today bring rest and reflection to you. Many of us have had a full week; we may be just a bit tired. Rest will help us prepare for the joyous tumult of Resurrection Day. Reflection will remind us that Resurrection Day can’t come without Good Friday. Our questions differ from the first disciples, but we have good questions for this day in between.
How does Jesus’ death change my life? How do I respond to Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins? How do I live with focus and purpose in the post-Lenten journey? We don’t share the doubt and dismay of the eleven men and their friends. We do share their need for rest and reflection.
Resurrection Sunday requires the rest and reflection of the Sabbath. It prepares us for celebration and keeps us connected to Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice. This is the day when the reflection of the Lenten journey and the anticipation of celebration come together. Let’s follow the example of the disciples: On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (Luke 23:56b ESV)
(I forgot to give credit for the title of yesterday’s post: Six Hours One Friday. It’s the title of one of Max Lucado’s best book. I apologize for the oversight.)