Sabbath Rest

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
—Luke 24.56b

How do you spend the day before Easter? You may be madly cleaning house and doing laundry. You may be setting tomorrow’s dining room table with Grandmother’s china and that crystal you got for your wedding. If there’s time, you’ll polish the silver. Menu? Check. Last minute groceries? Check. Too bad the eggs are too fresh—they’ll be fine to color but madness to peel.

How would you spend today if you didn’t know Easter was coming? As Luke tells it, the women who followed Jesus followed Joseph to the tomb, saw the body laid out, and came back to make preparations of their own, mixing spices and ointments for burial. Then on Saturday, on sabbath, they rested.

I hope you have set aside some sabbath time for yourself this weekend—for rest, renewal, silence, and spiritual preparation. You might not get the benefit of an entire day—but whatever time it takes, take it. Sabbath, to remember God’s rest in creation. Sabbath, to give thanks for our own liberation. Sabbath, to prepare for whatever may come.

Along the Way, I wish you God’s peace on today’s stage of your Lenten spiritual journey. May Christ’s companionship bless you with confidence for the day, comfort you in trouble, and put a spring of joy in your step.