**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, M.H. Elrich. A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Note: This devotional is different in honor of Holy Week; next week I will resume the Hebrews devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou?”
She saith unto them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, “Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus saith unto her, “Mary.”
She turned herself, and saith unto him, “Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”
-John 20:11-16
The day between Jesus’ death and resurrection is a day most Christians do not think about. I have heard it called “Silent Saturday” because the Bible does not offer any commentary about what happened on that day. I can only speculate.
Imagine Mary weeping, comforted by the other women who followed Jesus.
“Why, Lord?” she asks. “Aren’t you God? Do something!”
For no parent should have to grieve the death of their child.
Imagine Peter with the other disciples in a room. He sits in a corner, his face turned away from the others, who are all whispering.
“Did you hear? Peter betrayed him three times!”
“Judas sold us out, I can’t believe it.”
“Who is worse? Peter or Judas?”
“How can you say that? He’s right here.”
Peter tucks his legs against his chest and hides his face. Their words sink into his soul.
Imagine their cries. Imagine their sorrow.
For them, the Resurrection is not a possibility.
They do not know it is coming.
To them, it is the blackest day and darkest night. A place without hope.
They are grieving the loss of their Teacher and Messiah. That is why Mary is weeping by the tomb when Jesus and the angels find her. Not only is her beloved Master dead, but his body is not even there for her to grieve. She has no idea what will happen next.
Let this be a reminder that it’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to weep and cry and bring your pain to the One who is and was and is to come. We shouldn’t skip over the grief, wanting to go to the Resurrection because it makes us feel better. Instead, we should allow it to wash through us and bring it to God, just like Jeremiah did in Lamentations and David did through his Psalms.
Once all the tears have flowed and the mourning has ceased, we can face the new day. For weeping may last the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
That joy has a name: Jesus, Rabboni.
Let’s Pray.
Dear Lord, I bring my grief and sorrow to you. I cry in your arms and feel your embrace. Help me to see light in the darkness. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.
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