The different Sabbath

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke 23:56

When the Sabbath was past, … Mark 16:1

Now after the Sabbath, … Matthew 28:1

The one Sabbath that was really different. Jesus’ body laying in a tomb. Before resurrection Sunday. Can you ponder what the disciples and followers were going through on that Sabbath? What were their thoughts? What were they feeling? Hopes dashed? Overwhelming grief? Sorrow and confusion? Trying to figure out what to do next? The enemies of God infiltrating their minds with fear, anger, and devastation. But the women had a plan. They were going to honor Jesus no matter what it took. The women were preparing spices and obviously utilizing what Nicodemus had brought for Jesus’ burial but the Sabbath stood in the way of actually applying those spices.

So there was a day of stillness and frustrating delay of … not knowing what would really happen on the morrow.

We on the other hand know the results of the ‘next day’. But how many times do we face such circumstances that there seems to be no way out? No solution? Trapped in the moment and hope seems very far away. How do we embolden our ‘souls’? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to remind us of His promises to us? Do we fight the jeering voices in our minds telling us there is no hope? Do we engage our small measure of faith and believe His words to us?

Are you currently in a place where your soul is in despair? Jesus told His disciples and followers more than once He would overcome death. They had seen it more than once with multiple people being raised from the dead by Jesus. Who or what are you looking to ..for your solution to your soul issues? Are you asking Jesus to help you in your soul crushing dilemma?

The Holy Spirit hadn’t been ‘given’ to them as in the day of Pentecost to the disciples and followers. Remember there were possibly 120 (see Acts 1:15) in that upper room — not just the 11. So they didn’t have the Presence and the Voice of the Holy Spirit within them like they did after Pentecost… so the battle in their minds and souls on that Sabbath must have been massive.

But we who have access to the Holy Spirit must turn to Him when we face situations within our souls to be reminded of what Jesus has said to us. The Holy Spirit being our Guide and Comforter is the one we should be listening to at ALL times. Have we trained our minds and souls to be submissive to the Voice of the Holy Spirit? Have you learned to ‘hear’ His Voice in your mind with clarity?

As the days progress and persecution rises – how will you cope? When loss seems to be overwhelming — how will you cope? When there seems to be no way out — who will you turn to? Is the Holy Spirit helping you ‘see’ the glorious future Jesus is preparing for you? Paul I know faced these kinds of situations. The epistle of Philippians chapter 1 is a good example of Paul’s answer to these kinds of very difficult situations in his life. Paul’s soul was encouraged by the ‘call’ Jesus had given him to ‘equip’ the saints even though he was in chains at the time.

Do you know the love Jesus has for you? How deeply? Does His love permeate all the way down the very bottom of the core of your soul? Is your faith bolstered by the Holy Spirit when He reminds you of what Jesus has spoken to you personally (Rhema Word) deep within your being? Has Jesus asked you to do anything for Him? Do you have a ‘call’ from Him? What is the Holy Spirit asking you to do for others — even though you feel totally trapped and useless at the moment? 

Obey Him – and watch Him work.