Waiting for Sunday When You Are Not Sure What Day It Is

The women who had come with him [Jesus] from Galilee followed and 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 23:55-56 ESV

In the four gospels the only mention of the day between Jesus’ death and resurrection is found in Luke. “On the Sabbath they rested…” That is all that is mentioned of the day after Jesus died. Remember the Sabbath is Saturday the last day of the week in Jewish culture.

And this side of the resurrection we often say, “It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming.” Still I wonder, if we didn’t know Sunday was coming. If we like the disciples missed Jesus’ promises and prophetic teachings of His resurrection, how would we endure Saturday?

Saturday had to be the darkest day of the disciples lives. Their Rabbi crucified, one of their own betrayed not only Jesus, but all of them. Rumors probably reached their ears that Judas killed himself. But there was no satisfaction in the rumor, only earth-shattering, world-turned-upside-down doubt. How could this be?

And how can we endure the dark things of this world when we don’t know when Sunday is coming?

I wonder if the disciples gathered to pray or if they gathered to compare notes? Is He really dead? How could this happen? Wasn’t He the messiah? Or did the cry out to God? Did they recall the Psalms of lament and tell God:

My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?” Psalm 42:3 ESV

Or were they too heartbroken and afraid?

When we are struggling through a dark difficult time it is easy to get frustrated with the wait – to doubt, fear, or even grow weary of the darkness. Did you notice what they did even on the darkest day of their lives? They kept the Sabbath as God commanded. Maybe that is what we are missing to get us through dark times. We forget to keep God’s commands. We fail to obey and instead we wallow in our doubts and fears.

But we can make it through the darkness with our hope intact, if only we do what we know God has told us to do. Love Him and love others.

Father God although I know Sunday is coming sometimes I struggle to trust You in the dark times of my life. Help me to obey You whether things are going well in my life or not. As I love You well and love other people well, may Your name be made great and my I experience your peace and comfort in new ways. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.