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Devotion for Saturday, April 11
WAITING IN SILENCE
Holy Saturday
The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Luke 23:55 (NRSV)
"Of all the days in history, Holy Saturday - the Saturday during which the body of Jesus lay in the tomb in silence and darkness behind the large stone that was rolled against its entrance - is the day of God's solitude. It is the day on which the whole creation waits in deep inner rest. This divine silence is the most fruitful silence that the world has ever known. From this silence, the Word will be spoken again and make all things new." (Walk With Jesus, 88)
The faithful women from Galilee remained at the cross throughout Jesus' time of darkness and dying. They stayed till dusk to see how Jesus' body was prepared for burial and where it was laid. They will return early on Sunday to finish the men's hasty work, and to properly anoint the body of their beloved Master.
As they grieved, resting in silence on the Sabbath Day, they couldn't imagine the Easter surprise that awaited them. It seemed as if there was no light on the horizon, only darkness and despair.
Many right now feel that there is no light on the horizon - that there will be no end to this pandemic - that we will never return to a normal way of life. We must keep in mind that God has not left us to travel this difficult road all by ourselves. He is right here with us - we are never alone! The sun will shine again. We will be reunited with our friends and family.
When we face dark and troubling times in our lives, we need to wait patiently for God's solitude to be broken. In his good time, joy will return, as the Lord of life enters our darkness and leads us into his marvelous light. In the meantime, we pray and rest and wait.
Let us pray: God of hope, help us to wait patiently for Your will to be done - on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Pastor Ruth
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