Sabbath Unrest April 16, 2022

April 16, 2022

There is Good Friday and there is Easter, but what do you call the day that lays in-between this huge chasm? That is what I would like to know. It doesn’t seem to have a name.

For us, the day is Saturday, which is known in the OT as the Sabbath. This was the day of rest to remember and honor the Lord their God.

There are weddings and funerals, but what do you call life that lays in between this chasm? There doesn’t seem to be a name for it either, but it often involves unexplainable grief and loss. No name seems to do this day justice. It is the day of ‘Sheol’ a place of waiting after death. (More on this tomorrow).

This is the day that has no name. It is the day between Jesus’ crucifixion and his triumphant resurrection. It is actually called “Holy Saturday” and it completes the Holy Week and ends the season of Lent. This day is marked by mourning and waiting. Somehow, I have spent my entire life never really noticing this day. It is just an “inbetweener”.

What did the disciples do on this day? Did they celebrate the Sabbath? Did they weep and cry when it seemed that all hope was lost? What were they thinking and feeling? Were they blaming themselves for being cowards and not standing up for Jesus? Did they put two and two together and get four? We know that Jesus had been telling them that he would “rise again”. Did they think they would see that in their lifetime? These are just a few of my thoughts on this day of “Sabbath Unrest”.

Today’s One Year Bible pointed me in a new direction as I ponder these thoughts about this day, Holy Saturday. In Luke 18: 1-17, Jesus tells the disciples a story that they were always to pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1) He tells them about an unjust judge and invites them to learn a powerful lesson.

There was a widow who begged for justice from this unjust judge. His sad response was, “I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy.” He granted her wish because she was wearing him out with her requests.

Jesus draws this little story to a close by asking them, “When the Son of Man (Jesus) returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8)

There was never an emotionally lower day for the disciples than the day after Jesus died. The fight was over and he was gone. The earth was covered with darkness. All their dreams and hopes crashed! Where were the disciples on this day?

Well, Mary went to the tomb early on the first day of the week after the Sabbath ended and found the Lord’s body missing and had an encounter with The Risen Lord. She ran to tell them the good news, “I have seen the Lord!”

Jesus also went to find them and to reveal himself as the resurrected Lord.

Where were they to be found? Well, they were “behind locked doors”. It was Mary Magdalene who ventured out to check on Jesus at the tomb, not them! Check out what happens next that tells us about their location.

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20: 19-20

While the disciples were “behind locked doors” on this Holy Saturday, where was Jesus? What was he doing? (Part 2 tomorrow)

What did they do in the season of their “Sabbath Unrest” as they faced their doubts about God their judge? Did they deem him unjust, or did they struggle with disappointment that Jesus was not all that they hoped he would be?

Jesus had left this little story with them for them to ponder. “When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8)

This message has been left for us also. Will he find us having faith even in our darkest hour?

Yes, it is the Friday of death and loss, followed by a Sabbath Unrest that we call Holy Saturday… but "Sunday is a Comin’.

Tomorrow we will learn the rest of the story, and it will be a doozy!

(Definition of Doozy: "an extraordinary one of its kind".

Yep, that's the word, alright!!)

Sabbath Unrest followed by a Doozy. (Spoiler Alert)

“Always pray and never give up.” (Luke 18:1)

Thank you all for writing and joining in on the One Year Bible Challenge. I really enjoy your daily comments and sharing. Please, continue to join in.

What are your thoughts, questions, and insights?