Traditionally we commemorate Jesus’ death on Good Friday and we celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday, but not much happens on Easter Saturday. Yet Easter Saturday can help us think about how to approach our grief.
Sabbath Rest
The original Easter Saturday was a Sabbath. There were strict rules about what the Jews were permitted to do on that day. Visiting Jesus’ tomb was not an option for his disciples and friends. (I’m not sure of the exact reason – perhaps it was too far to go on the Sabbath.)
Imagine being those disciples. Amid their grief, questions, and overwhelming emotions, all they could do was wait. It was Sabbath as usual but nothing was normal. It probably felt like the longest day of their lives.
The more I think about it, the more I’m certain God ordained this Sabbath day between Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Sabbath is a day of rest. It is not a day for work. It is a holy day, a day for the Lord. It’s a day to remind us to trust God’s provision and wean us from our self-sufficiency.
In their grief, the disciples waited and rested, gathered at the synagogue, and waited and rested some more.
Grief and Rest
Perhaps when grief comes close, we can think of our season as a Sabbath season. It’s okay just to be. We wait and rest, trusting God’s provision. We don’t need to do anything.
What does this look like practically, when we have a job to keep, a family to care for, and expectations to meet? I don’t know. Every situation is unique. I only hope to whisper to your heart that it’s okay to drop some things. The Sabbath doesn’t look like every other day. Neither does grief.
Will Grief Ever End?
Grief marks us for life, and yet… technically there will be an end to grief. With the full coming of God’s kingdom is his promise: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
It may be hard to believe in the middle of our grief. How can we see any good when we are surrounded by confusion, doubt, and disillusionment? Yet we have a true story – the Easter story – to remind us that God is in the business of turning our mourning into dancing, and our grief into gladness. Christ’s resurrection is our assurance.
Anticipating the End of Grief
As we celebrate Easter Sunday this year, may you have in mind that final “Sunday” when Christ comes again to make all things right. May you worship God in anticipation of the end of grief.
Like the women at the crack of dawn after the longest Sabbath, may you go to the place you know to encounter Jesus. For those women, it was his tomb, and Jesus met them there – although not as they expected. For you, it may be opening the Bible or attending a church service or praying.
My prayer is that you will encounter the living Christ – for he is very much alive today. May you hear him say your name, as he did for Mary. May your heart be filled with faith and trust. May you be overjoyed and astonished. May you worship the King of Kings with the faith you will have when he comes again to evict sin and evil and bring a permanent end to grief.
Christ is risen.
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