Gratitude Day 614

John 19:41-42 – Near the place where Jesus was crucified was a garden, and in the garden, there was a new tomb where no one had yet been laid to rest. And because the Sabbath was approaching, and the tomb was nearby, that’s where they laid the body of Jesus.

It is finished.

These words have been running through my brain the last couple of days. The last words that Jesus uttered from the cross.

It was late Friday afternoon. Jewish sabbath began at sundown. There wasn’t much time. Quickly, they needed to get his body into a tomb.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took charge. Got things approved and organized. Hustled the body down the cross and into the tomb.

So, everyone could wait.

Wait for? Wait for … the sabbath to end. Plans would be made then.

It is finished.

I’m never quite sure what to do the Saturday of Holy Week. When I was serving churches, I spent the day making final preparations for Easter Sunday celebrations. Arranging the Easter lilies. Maybe getting some type of tomb in place. Making sure the music and singers and readers had everything they needed. Maybe baking some treats for the kids. Once in a while, we had company for Easter Sunday. So, maybe I’d be getting a meal ready, and a table set, along with three worship services. Other times, Hubby Rick and I would meet family at a restaurant after worship so I wouldn’t have to make a meal.

It is finished.

But was it?

The surprise ending had to wait. We know how the story ends but the disciples nor none of the many Mary’s standing at the foot of the cross did. All they heard was, “It is finished.”

Finally, they thought. The agony, the hurt, the pain, the craziness. Could it be finished?

When we are in the middle of a hurtful time or our lives are filled with pain, often, we simply long for it to be over. For it to be finished. We prod ourselves to quickly get through the hurt and expect each other to sprint into a time with no pain.

But those of us who have experienced hurt and disappointment, we know this is NOT how it works. The pain runs deep, often very deep.

The events of the previous few days had happened so quickly. Emotions would not have had time to keep up. There certainly had not been time to process anything.

What is remembered?

His last words: “It is finished.”

Finished. For now. Like the disciples, like the Mary’s, we simply wait.

For final words, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

“It is finished.” Those three words are so simple. But mean so much. Finished for who? Finished forever? Finished until … On this Holy Saturday, help me to simply sit. Be. It’s easy to fill the day with much. Maybe less is better today. Help me be OK with less. Amen.

Stop by diannedeatonvielhuber on Instagram today for a few more thoughts about today’s Lenten topic.

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