Saturday, April 8, 2023
Full Reading: Luke 23:50-56
All four of the Gospel narratives tell the story of how Joseph of Arimathea was the one who buried Jesus. He was a member of the Jewish council which had falsely accused Jesus of blasphemy and sentenced Him to death. Yet, Joseph had not consented. He was a righteous man and a secret follower of Jesus, but after the crucifixion, he took it upon himself to prepare the body of Jesus for burial and place Him in an unused tomb.
Luke tells us that the women who had been following Jesus were watching closely to see where He was laid. This would be an important detail as they would be the first to visit the tomb on the morning after the Sabbath.
This was the start of the Sabbath and Luke tells us that they rested according to the commandment.
The Sabbath is a prominent theme in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus was often seen teaching in the synagogues, healing and even gathering large crowds on the Sabbath. At one point, the Pharisees scolded Jesus for allowing His disciples to pluck grain and eat it as they walked through a field on the Sabbath. It was at this point that Jesus declared, “I am the Lord of the Sabbath.”
Jesus was there when the Sabbath was created. He was the one who rested during the seventh day of creation. He was the one who rescued the people out of slavery in Egypt and told them to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy. And He is the one who became the Sabbath for us. We rest in Him.
There wasn’t much rest in the hearts of Jesus’ followers on that night after He had died. Although they kept the Sabbath commands, their souls were restless. Yet, because of Jesus' death on the cross, we can truly rest because the work is finished.
Jesus wants us to learn to rest in Him as our Sabbath. That pertains directly to our salvation, but it also relates to all our cares and concerns. Put your trust in God and rest in the promises of Jesus. Lay your burdens at His feet and be at peace with God.
Adam Miller is the President and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church.
You can hear his teaching on our daily broadcast on the radio or online, watch his preaching live on Facebook, and read his articles on our website.
