Passion Week – A Shabbat Like No Other

As Joseph and Nicodemus hurried to lay Jesus’ body to rest that Friday afternoon, sundown quickly approached, meaning that Shabbat—the Jewish Sabbath was about to begin.  The men wrapped His body in strips of linen and anointed it with spices, while the women looked on.  Then, the stone was rolled in place.

The Sabbath Day was, and is, a sacred day of remembrance.  God had originally commanded the Jews to do no work on that day, and over the years, the religious leaders had taken that to such an extreme that very little activity was allowed.  As a result, the Sabbath had become a time of family gathering, relaxation, and joy as well as intentional worship. 

On that Sabbath Day, we can only imagine the thoughts and emotions of Mary, the disciples, and all who loved and followed Jesus.  The Scripture is silent as to their actions, but we know that Mary’s son was dead. The disciples’ friend was dead. The Messiah was dead! 

As they honored God by remembering His miraculous deliverances over centuries, did they also remember Christ’s words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:37 NIV84).  Did they echo that same cry?  Or did they recall the words of David, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer” (Psalm 61:1 NIV84)?

Did they cower in fear, seeking the Lord’s protection from those who had just murdered their friend?  Did they collapse in grief, not just at the loss of a loved one but in the reality that most of them had abandoned Him in His hour of need? 

Most importantly, did they ever recall His words of prophecy, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Luke 9:22 NIV84 emphasis added)? Was there any hope left or just grief and sorrow?  The only thing we know for certain is that it was a Shabbat like no other.

Read: Exodus 20:8 -11; Psalm 61; Luke 9:22; Matthew 16:21; and Mark 8:31

Food for Thought:

• Have you ever felt forsaken by God?  If so, how did you respond?  How should you respond?
• Have you experienced guilt at the death of a loved one?  If so, how can you find forgiveness through your faith in Christ?

For one fictional perspective on that Sabbath Day, read Chapters 19 and 20 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.