April 15 Devotion

Saturday People

Luke 23:54-56

Jesus was dead. They had laid him in the tomb on Friday afternoon, and then the women had prepared the spices to anoint the body as soon as it was Sunday and they could. But now it was Saturday, the Sabbath. According to Jewish law, they rested, but they didn't find rest easy. Actually, the disciples were hiding in the upper room, fearful of the Jewish authorities, but unable to travel because it was Sabbath. They wanted to get out of town, but couldn't; they were full of grief, but couldn't share that with anyone; they were fearful of arrest, but afraid to move. It was Saturday.

And sometimes we are Saturday people, just like the disciples were that first Saturday. We are paralyzed by the pain we are feeling, the grief we are experiencing, the fear we are facing. And so we sit, unable to move, unable to live. The grief of a death of a loved one can paralyze us like that. The pain of rejection or betrayal by someone can paralyze us like that. The reality that plans we have made have been tragically derailed can paralyze us like that. The disciples were facing all of those things...the death of Jesus, the betrayal by Judas, the destruction of their hopes and plans for Jesus to be the Messiah who would lead the Jews to victory over their enemies.

It is terribly hard to be a Saturday person. It is a position of hopelessness, of pain, of despair. But friends, let us remember that we may be Saturday people, but Sunday is coming, and Sunday brings with it the joy and surprise of resurrection and new life. Sunday is coming. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer: Lord, when I am a Saturday person, remind me in the midst of my hopelessness and despair that Sunday is coming with resurrection and new life. Amen.

Dr. Joseph Shreve