Welcome friends to Saturday of Holy Week!
So today is the day. The day of Holy week that is so very uncomfortable. We are preparing to celebrate tomorrow, but we are still living in the shadow of yesterday's events. So what does that in between space look like?
Let's see what the bible has to say...
1.
Matthew 27:62-66
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[a] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
Mark 16:1
The Resurrection
16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
Luke 23:56
56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
John 19:40
40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
2.
I don't know about you but when I read these passages I just feel like I am at an awkward funeral... Personally I have been to a LOT of funerals. In my experience there always comes a time where you run out of things to do or say. At these times we turn to traditions or customs to speak for us. Grief doesn't usually have words, so gestures have to speak volumes.
I love the custom of bringing spices, oils, and linens to care for the body. Our minds often associate smells with feelings and experiences. When they brought the spices to the tomb I wonder if they experienced grief deeper because the scent and routine of the ceremony has grief tied to it. Perhaps their grief for Jesus was intensified by their memories of past losses. That actually feels appropriate though doesn't it? Because Jesus died not only for us but all those that had come before them too. So shouldn't we feel that grief to it's fullest?
Yesterday, when we walked through the stations of the cross we experienced our grief through sight, sound, and touch. But how do we smell our grief?
When you think of your grief is there a scent associated? As Jesus lie still in that tomb, they brought spices to Him. In that tomb, grief had a scent. What does grief smell like to you on this day?
3.
On Saturday, Jesus lie still.
4.
Today, I thought we could grieve through our sense of smell. If you have certain scents that you associate with grief, go ahead and dig them out. Pull your grief to the service, and feel that grief for Jesus at it's fullest. For me when I smell incense, I am reminded of all the Catholic funerals I used to altar serve for. Incense and smoke would fill the air. To this day the smell still reminds me of loss.
But maybe there isn't a scent for you that stands out. Some of the oils they used for the burial process back in Jesus' time included: Sandalwood, Myrrh, and Cedarwood. So if you have access to any of those, fill your home with the scent and let them remind you of Jesus in the tomb.
Below is the link to my Saturday playlist to end the day with. For the last 40 minutes of Saturday, maybe lie still and simply let the smell and sound of grief surround you. But be sure to not start the playlist until 11:20... because the last song will play at 12:00a.m., and it is meant to be a dance party for the coming of Easter. Let me assure you, there will be dancing at my house.
Blessings to you all on this dark day. And take heart! It's Raining Somewhere.
-Hannah
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