holy saturday and sabbath waiting

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 23:55-56, NIV)

It is certainly no coincidence that the full day in which the body of Jesus laid in the tomb was the Sabbath day.  For as much as people might have wanted to “do” this or that in response to his suffering and death, they could not.  All they could “do” was wait.  Even God waited!  Even God observed the Sabbath!  He knew what Sunday would bring, and most likely could hardly wait for it’s coming, yet he did.  It was good and necessary for everyone to have some time and some space to let all that had just happened sink in.

Which is a good lesson for us: In the times when we are most apt to spring into action, it might be that immediate action is not the best plan.  Time and space to let things settle and sink in might be what is most needed.  Unfortunately, waiting is not always our strong suit.  We would do well to remember the words of a wise saint who once said: “When you’re waiting, you’re not doing nothing.  You’re doing the most important something there is.  You’re allowing your soul to grow up.  If you can’t be still and wait, you can’t become who God created you to be.” 

So thank goodness for Holy Saturday!