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PONDER: 

Luke 23:56 
“Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”

REFLECTION:

Years ago, shortly after my daughter was born, we learned that she would require open heart surgery to save her life. We spent many months in the NICU with her, and later were in and out of the hospital until she grew big enough for surgeons to operate on her tiny body. During that time, I lost count of the times people told us that God would perform a miracle.  We waited, hoping with every doctor’s appointment that we would hear a change in her diagnosis. We believed so strongly that God would heal her–and yet every time we saw a doctor, they would remark that she was a very sick little girl. There was absolutely nothing we could do in this time but wait.
The time came for her to receive her surgery. We sat in a little dimly lit waiting room–one that had undoubtedly heard much bad news before–and waited to hear of the outcome. I wish that I could say that I waited in quiet reverence fully trusting that this was all going to turn out. Truthfully, after months of being told that my child was going to be healed miraculously, I wondered why we were sitting in a hospital waiting room and not at home with a healthy, whole baby. But then, after four hours of surgery (and the miraculous skill of a heart surgeon) we were informed that our little girl was recovering in the ICU after a successful operation. It took years for me to realize the miracle of her surgery–and how God works miracles in whatever way he chooses (sometimes that means the obvious–heart defects requiring heart surgery!)
I wonder about the disciples and how they were waiting after Jesus’ crucifixion. They had been waiting for so long for a messiah–then He came! Only to be brutally murdered at the height of his ministry. What were they to do now? Didn’t God make a promise to them? Surely there were feelings of hopelessness and doubt. After seeing the empty tomb, we know that they still didn’t understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead (John 20:9).  There was confusion and sadness in all the disciples. Later, on the road to Emmaus two of the disciples spoke with Jesus after he had risen and they couldn’t see the miracle that was in front of them. Even after He explained the Scriptures to them, they couldn't see the miracle until He broke bread with them later.
As we observe Silent Saturday, what are you waiting for? Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, grief and unmet expectations can easily blind us to what God is doing right in front of us.

We don't always get the miracle we picture in our heads, but God is always at work.

This weekend, even if you feel like you are sitting in the dark, may God grant you the grace to wait, and eventually, the eyes to see the unexpected ways He has been working all along.

PRAYER:

God, as we sit in the quiet of Saturday, we confess it is hard to wait. Like the disciples, we often struggle with doubt when heaven seems silent and answers are delayed. Thank You for Your grace when our faith wavers. Remind us that silence does not mean absence. Give us eyes to see the unexpected miracles You are working behind closed doors, and the strength to hold on in the waiting until Sunday comes.
Amen.

PRACTICE:

Luke 23:56 says that the disciples "rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment," even while their hearts were breaking. Today, practice intentional rest. Step away from trying to "fix" your problems, turn off your screens for a few hours, or simply take a nap. Allow yourself the grace to rest in the silence, trusting that God is working.