It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 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.
~ Luke 23:54-56
After a decade-long battle with chronic illness, my sister Linda died the day before Easter, 1984. Every year, on Holy Saturday, I reflect on life, death, and the resurrection. And as I do this, I am following a pattern set long ago by Jesus' first followers.
Our biblical text sets the scene: it was Preparation Day (Friday) and the Sabbath (Saturday) was about to begin. The women who had loved and followed Jesus wanted to anoint Jesus' body with spices, but in obedience to the commandment, they “rested” on the Sabbath.
I can only imagine how “restful” that particular Sabbath must have been for the disciples. Hadn't they just seen Jesus, the Messiah, crucified the day before? How would they continue their ministry? Who would be their leader? What would become of them all?
Like the early disciples on that Sabbath day, we experience the grief and anguish of death. But unlike the early disciples, we know the rest of the story. Take heart, tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday!
~ Cheryl Boydston
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