Wait Worthy

That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. Luke 23:54-56

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord…

Yesterday was Good Friday (or Holy Friday) which commemorates the day Jesus was crucified.

Tomorrow will be the Sunday after Passover week begins, which is the day on which Jesus rose from the dead.

But what was happening between the time Jesus died and the time he rose from the grave? According to Robert Lowry’s hymn, “Low in the grave he lay,” Jesus was “waiting the coming day.” But the Bible doesn’t tell us very much about that in-between time.

We know that Jesus told the thief on the cross that after death they would be together in Paradise (Luke 23:43). Paradise is the place of rest where the faithful await the final judgment. (Compare Luke 16 where this place is called “Abraham’s bosom.”)

And what was happening amongst the disciples? They were also resting, as it was the Sabbath, but it seems a safe assumption that they were very disheartened. After three years of close, daily association with Jesus, they still didn’t quite understand the spiritual nature of his mission. They had still expected him to overthrow Rome, or at least not to be overcome by Rome. But Rome had killed him. He was dead. How could this have been part of the plan?

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior! Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord…

Still, it was the Sabbath, so there was nothing to do but go home and wait. Did they all separate to their own homes? I wouldn’t be surprised if they gathered together to keep the Sabbath in one another’s company, as they had done so often, only Jesus would be absent this time. Did they talk amongst themselves trying to recall anything Jesus had said that might give them a sense of hope for the future? Perhaps it was a comfort to keep the familiar traditions of the Sabbath– the prayers, the candles, the scriptures, the meals.

Though work was forbidden, it seems the women were mentally preparing to get up as early as possible on Sunday and head to the tomb with spices for the body (Luke 23:54-56). He had been so hastily buried in anticipation of the Sabbath, they had not been able to prepare the body as they normally would have.

I imagine there was also a distinct sense of fear that when Sabbath ended, some of them might be arrested by Jewish officials and tried as Jesus’s associates. Surely on that Sabbath they had more questions than answers.

Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Savior! He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord…

When we die, we enter a waiting period until final judgment. But ever since the Fall in Eden, life is also a long wait. Do we know what we’re waiting for? Are we waiting for it eagerly, and with perseverance (Romans 8:19-25)?

Or do we wait for death and judgment like we wait for the nurse to call us back to the examining room, passing the time with games on our phones, trying to push away thoughts about the potential unpleasantness of what’s coming? Of course we’re very busy in this waiting room of life. But are we busy with things that matter?

Are we spending time together encouraging one another and keeping the traditions— continuing “steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers,” (Acts 2:42)?

There is a waiting place after death, but our fate is sealed at that point (Hebrews 9:27). While in the waiting room of life, let’s make sure we are waiting wisely, in a worthy manner, so that we can share in his resurrection and triumph when our names are called.

I’ve always liked Lowry’s hymn. I like how it is quiet and mysterious at the beginning, reflecting that solemn feeling of waiting for something unknown. But then the chorus is loud and triumphant:

Up from the grave he arose! With a mighty triumph o’er his foes! He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign! He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus was willing to die for me, and I praise Your great power by which he arose a victor over death! Please help me to wait in faith for the final resurrection. Help me to redeem the time until I am called to eternal rest. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins