Holy Saturday (April 19). SATURDAY

Prepare to Listen.  I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.  (Ps 118:17)
 
Prayerfully Read Luke 23:50-56
50Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51had not agreed to their plan and action.  He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.  52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.  54It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.  55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.  56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.  On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
Friday Jesus died and was buried.  Sunday Jesus rose from the dead.  Saturday nothing much happened.  Imagine the grief that day.
 
The most significant detail about Joseph of Arimathea is: “he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.”  His belief in Jesus never faltered.  But Jesus died, proof to many he was a false prophet, whose body belonged in the common grave for criminals.  But Joseph didn’t think so.  Jesus’ disciples did.  Not Joseph.  He lovingly wrapped the body in a cloth and laid Jesus in a new and unused tomb.
 
The women disciples, who stayed at the cross and saw Jesus die, also waited expectantly, with unwavering faith.  They watched Joseph, followed him to the tomb, planning to return after the sabbath with their prepared spices and ointments for the body.  They refused to give up hope in Jesus, even after his death.  They saw the tomb, went home and rested on the sabbath “according to the commandment.”  They made space for their Saturday grief, perhaps even prayed psalms of lament.
 
Saturday nothing much happened.  Saturday is where many of us are living, waiting, praying, lamenting.  We’re not yet able to hope.  We’ll get there, but first we must lament, grieve and mourn, live out our Saturday.  We know better than to ignore grief by jumping to Sunday and resurrection.  We stay in our Saturday for however long it takes.  Friday was devastating.  Sunday will come, in God’s time and we’ll know resurrection joy.  Saturday we wait.
 
If you can, tell your story of a Saturday waiting, struggling to hope and believe.
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, I pray for all those today who are living in Saturday grief and loss.  I mourn with them, believe for them and trust them to your loving care.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Like the women and Joseph, wait in expectation.