Day 7: SILENT SATURDAY
Scripture
LUKE 23:55-56 (NIV)
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.
Devotion
“There’s nothing more we can do,” the doctor said, trying to convey as much sympathy as she could muster. “The procedure failed, we expect him to have one more day.” You unknowingly sit down in the chair behind you. You have no words, no way to process this soon-to-be loss of your husband–the father of your children, your closest friend and dearest confidant. The doctor says a few more sentences before turning and walking away, but you hear none of it. One more day is ringing in your mind. Thousands of days you woke up next to him, and now, with the news of a failed surgery, you get just one.
How do you spend that final day? You try to soak up as much goodness, love, and hope as possible. But Death is looming. There is no denying that the clouds have rolled in like a tropical storm. The atmosphere has changed; grief is already starting to set in. How will our family move on from this? What memories will the kids hold onto? How are we going to pay the bills? Will I have to carry this all on my own?
This is where the women at the tomb find themselves. The Sabbath, God’s appointed day of worship and rest, was a weekly occurrence. The Jewish people are invited to set aside all work and recenter their hearts on God’s goodness, provision, and steadfast love. But they entered this Sabbath, or “Silent Saturday” as church tradition coins it, with hearts weighed down by sadness. Twenty four hours to spend in the presence of God and their insurmountable grief. Waiting to pour out one more act of devotion to the man they loved by embalming his tortured body, but they were at home, waiting. I know you are with me God, but where were you at the cross? I know I’m supposed to worship today, but my tears are pouring faster than I can get words out. I usually feel your nearness, but I only feel a bottomless pit in my stomach.
Where we sit today, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We don’t know if God will perform a resurrection miracle, or if He will let Death overtake our dream, our loved one, our job, our grades, our unborn child, our marriage, our friendship, or our legacy.
Tomorrow might bring celebration, or it might bring mourning. But God will be present in both; yes, even in the grief and in the waiting.
Question for reflection
What are you waiting on God for in your life? Is it on the brink of death? Has it already died? Are you seeing signs of a resurrection? Spend some time reflecting on this, and present it to God. Feel no need to find answers–you’ve probably spent a lot of time seeking these already. Let God’s love embalm you, and receive His devotion to you.
Prayer
Father, we thank you that in the lowest of pits, you find us and sit with us in the dirt. We are here–make yourself known to us. Come, Holy Spirit.
written by Jeremy Lupinacci
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Family Devotional
Silent Saturday: Luke 23:55-56
Ask your kids when was a time that it was really hard to wait for something? How did it feel to wait?
Explain to your kids that even though Jesus had predicted his death and promised that he would rise again it was hard for his friends to believe this. When Jesus was buried it felt like it was all over. It was really hard to wait for God to do what He had promised to do but that doesn’t mean God isn’t going to keep his promises. He is still faithful.
Pray together as a family that we would have faith even when God seems silent.
As an activity consider preparing cookies or something other fun treat to enjoy together on Easter as a celebration. You can dub these resurrection cookies. After the cookies are prepared put them in the oven or the ‘tomb.’ Then you can station a guard (you can use a toy or a Christmas nutcracker or something else creative) in front of the tomb to watch over it. Be sure that when your kids go to bed they know the resurrection cookies are still in the tomb. When they wake up you can show them the tomb is empty and the treats can be enjoyed sometime that day.