A Dark Day

To reflect God’s heart to the world around us, we need to know God’s heart and, we believe, God’s heart is most clearly represented in Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we invite you to explore the life of Jesus by reading the Gospel of John with us. As we delve into the richness of scripture, we’ll utilize the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, which invites us to slow down and posture our hearts to hear from God. With that said, let’s begin with a prayer.

Open your time by reciting these words:

Lord, as I approach scripture, prepare my heart to encounter You in its pages. Quiet the distractions that pull me away and open my eyes to see Your truth. May I encounter these words humbly, with an open mind and a receptive spirit. May my time in Scripture be a sacred encounter that deepens my relationship with You and transforms me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lectio (Reading)

Take a moment to read John 19:38-42 slowly and attentively. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. Allow the text to wash over you, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.

At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:41-42

Meditatio (Meditation)

Before we celebrate Easter Sunday, we can't overlook that dark Saturday. The day Jesus spent in the tomb was a time of silence, confusion, and waiting. Residing on this side of the cross, we don’t quite know what to do with today’s passage. We recognize that the story of God’s love does not end on the cross or inside the tomb. Death does not have the final word. But, for those who were witnessing it firsthand, this day was a dark day, full of unanswered questions. When they laid Jesus in the tomb, His followers were devastated. Witnessing their hope and their Savior die on the cross and disappear into the grave left them heartbroken. However, Jesus had told them He would rise again, so they waited eagerly for what would come next.

As we meditate on this day, we encounter the enduring heart of Jesus that sustained Him even in death. He had come to live among us, to experience both the joys and the sorrows of life, and to lay down His life for us. His death revealed to us the depth of His love and the power of His sacrifice. In the tomb, Jesus was alone but not abandoned. His Father was with Him, even in the darkness. As we face struggles and adversity, we can trust that we are not alone either. The enduring heart and presence of Jesus are with us, holding us close and carrying us through.

Take a moment to consider what you just read. Enter into the scene described in the passage. Imagine the heaviness of Joseph and Nicodemus' hearts as they tenderly prepared Jesus' body for burial. Consider the fear and uncertainty that must have gripped them, knowing that their beloved teacher and friend had been brutally executed. Allow yourself to empathize with their profound grief and sense of hopelessness.

Contemplatio (Contemplation)

There are moments when there seem to be more questions than answers. Our circumstances remain the same, leaving us afraid and confused. The darkness has us wondering if the light will ever break through the shadows. We struggle to keep going. Just like those in our story today, we reside in the middle space between God’s promise and witnessing its fulfillment. This space feels Godforsaken, but in actuality, it’s God ordained. On the day that Jesus spent in the tomb, He revealed that even in death, hope prevails. His resurrection would come, and with it, the promise of new life. As we walk in that new life–even in this broken world–we can rely on the enduring heart of Jesus, which never gives up, never gives in, and always endures.

In the tomb, Jesus also demonstrated the power of surrender. He had given His life for us, and now He surrendered Himself to the Father's will. Jesus trusted that God would raise Him up and patiently submitted Himself to that process. As we offer ourselves to God's will, we can trust He will also give us the strength to walk through our situation with courage and faith. Faith resides in times of uncertainty. Amid our struggles, God calls us to trust and lean on Him – to display a determination in our dependence. We boldly proclaim that while Saturday is dark, Easter Sunday is coming.

Take a moment to consider where you’re experiencing uncertainty, losing hope, or finding yourself enduring trials. How can you sense God’s presence and provision even in the uncertainty?  

Actio (Action)

Finally, on the day Jesus spent in the tomb, He exemplified the beauty of sacrifice. He had given everything for us, and now He lay in the grave as a symbol of that sacrifice. As we reflect on His sacrifice, we can be inspired to give of ourselves entirely to love and serve others and live with an enduring heart that never gives up on the people we care about.

The day that Jesus spent in the tomb reveals the enduring heart of Jesus – that even in the darkest moments of life, hope remains. It highlights the power of surrender, sacrifice, and the importance of love. As we follow in His footsteps, we can trust that His enduring heart will sustain us through every trial and every joy. Therefore, let us hold fast to hope, surrender ourselves to His will, sacrifice for others, and love with an enduring heart that never gives up.

Take a moment to contemplate how you’ve experienced the enduring heart of Jesus during dark moments. Then, consider how you can you embody the qualities of surrender, sacrifice, and enduring love in your life. 

Oratio (Prayer)

Close your time by reciting this prayer or lifting up your own:

Dear God, I come to You with a heart full of gratitude for the enduring nature of Jesus that has sustained me through the most challenging moments of my life. Your love and sacrifice carried me through when I felt alone and abandoned. I ask for the strength to hold on to the hope that His resurrection promises, and to trust that You are always with me, even when I can't see You working. May I surrender myself to Your will, find the courage to sacrifice for others, and love with an enduring heart that never gives up, just as Jesus did for me. Amen.