Patience. It is needed when, at the moment, there is nothing that can be done. Patience. It must be exercised when a timeline is uncertain. Patience. It is a necessity when facing unknowns in life. Patience! We need it as we trustingly watch for what God is going to do next. When it appears the world has won, we need to remember the victory that is assured in Christ and thus how patience is to be coupled with faith! (1 John 5:4-5) Because we don’t always have the full picture in view, we will at times be left to wonder. That is what occurred during the time Jesus’ body was in the tomb.
When Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus to be buried (John 19:38-42), Luke’s Gospel recorded. . .
“(54) It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. (55) The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. (56) Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” (Luke 23:54-56 ESV)
They watched where the body of Jesus was placed. They went and prepared for further burial preparation but waited because of the Sabbath. The burial had taken place quickly, and they seem to have felt they needed to complete the job. Therefore, they would fulfill their task when the first day of the week arrived. Clearly there was no expectation of the Lord’s resurrection. Clearly, they did not remember His words (Luke 24:6-7) nor understand as even the Lord’s disciples did not. (Luke 18:33-34; John 20:9) Having watched where the body of the Lord had been laid to rest, they rested through the Sabbath waiting to fulfill their kind act.
Jesus knew what would be experienced in the wondering as He had foretold His disciples. . .
“(20) Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. (21) When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22) So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:20-22 ESV)
Though this was a Passover Sabbath to have been celebrated, it was a time of sorrow for the Lord’s disciples, including these women who had also followed. But Sunday was coming. The sorrow of this Sabbath would turn to a joy that could not be taken away. In spite of the ploys of the Jews even to seal the tomb and have it guarded (Matthew 27:62-66), there was a Divine plan at work which would not be thwarted.
As we continue through life, when we find ourselves struggling with doubt in our watching and waiting through life’s varied moments, let us bring to mind the record of the working of God’s plan to provide our redemption in Christ and the hope of life eternal that is ours in Him! We may wonder for lack of understanding how God is going to work things out through the varying scenes of life. However, let us remember God has a plan with our full salvation in mind. He is able to accomplish that on our behalf and ultimately safely bring us into the eternity of Heaven.
As David stated. . .
“(3) O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” (Psalm 5:3 ESV)
Like David, let us begin each day with prayer and then watch in faith for how God will provide and lead us through it!
Have a great day PATIENTLY PRESSING ON IN EXPECTANT FAITH!
Carl
