Good Morning All,
Our Lenten devotional today is written by Graciabelle Lee. Graciabelle joined Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) campus ministry at TCU as one of two Interns in June of 2024. She is a graduate of College of Charleston with a degree in Marketing. RUF played a vital role in her growing & maturing in her Christian walk while in college and stirred a desire to come alongside college students in that same stage of life, pointing them toward the truth of the Gospel. She loves all things beautiful–nature, art, and life in community! She also loves any opportunity to meet people across campus over a cup of coffee or a walk, so feel free to reach out to her anytime. May her reflection today on Luke 23 remind us that there is peace and hope even in the midst of waiting…. –Rev. Lea McCracken, Associate Chaplain
Scripture: Luke 23:50-56
“Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”
Reflection:
In all four Gospels, we’re told a lot about the events of Holy Week–everything between Palm and Easter Sunday–except for the events of Saturday. We’re told nothing, except that it was the Sabbath, the day of rest. Put yourself in the position of the disciples. In the beginning stages of their grief, uncertainty, and even doubt, they were told to wait, and to wait without distraction. They couldn’t bury themselves in their work, binge watch a comfort show, or doom scroll until the memory fades. But instead they entered into a day meant for rest and for worship. How unthinkable!
How often are you left waiting? Maybe to hear back about an internship, in traffic, for a grade to be posted, on the results of a scan, for an apology or to be forgiven. This is nothing new.
Humans throughout time share many things in common, but especially waiting. We’re finite beings, brought time and again to reckon with the notion that we lack control, especially in the areas we wish for it the most.
Waiting is uncomfortable, it makes us anxious and yearn for peace, but where can peace be found? In this season of Lent, we anticipate–we wait–for Good Friday, just as the disciples had done after Jesus told them numerous times the Son of Man had to die. We acknowledge the strange grief that flows on Saturday as we mourn the Savior of the world, who suffered the wrath of God for my sins and yours. They, in the moment, mourned the Messiah, their teacher and friend. And yet, we celebrate on Sunday just as they did because the tomb is empty! We can have hope and peace even in the midst of our waiting and uncertainty, because God is certain and sovereign over all. The cross was not a surprise or ambiguous event to God, and neither are any of the moments where it feels we’ve been left in the lurch.
Prayer:
Our Great Comforter, there are so many moments where we feel overwhelmed by the void left because of our waiting. Draw near to us as we ask and ache for answers and resolutions, even if the season lasts long or little. Fill us, by your Spirit, and make us a people of hope, resting in the knowledge that you are coming again to make all things new. Amen.