Rejoicing In The Word For Ladies – The Day of Preparation (May 2025)
“Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” (Jn. 19: 40-42)
The Gospels record that Jesus was crucified on a Day of Preparation. With the High Sabbath approaching, Jesus’ body needed to be laid in the tomb before the appointed time, as it was considered a violation of Sabbath law to leave the body on the cross.
What was the day of preparation? The Jewish Day of Preparation was the day before a Sabbath. It was a time of preparation for the Sabbath meal, and for the holy day itself. The first mention of a Preparation Day is found in Exodus 16. In response to the people’s murmuring in the wilderness, the Lord promised to provide by raining bread from heaven! In that passage, God commanded the Israelites to gather their food for the Sabbath on the sixth day. “Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.” He provided; they prepared. This is a Biblical principle we can echo in our own lives and ministries. The Lord expected His children to make their preparations for the Sabbath before sunset. It was His plan that they should then cease from their ordinary, normal activities.
God gave His chosen people many specific instructions concerning the keeping of the Sabbath. While we look back upon these rules and customs as burdensome, I think God’s heart to His people has always been love. Through the practice of preparation, He was giving them the gifts of time, focus, and fellowship on His holy day- removed from the hustle and bustle of daily living. For the Israelites, the preparation day was part of God’s providence. It was a time for gathering and anticipating.
When we consider the death, burial, and resurrection of our dear Lord and Savior, we are filled with hope and joy at the promise of His Resurrection. We live in a different dispensation than the Old Testament Israelite, an age of grace. We live on the other side of history, as it were. But our anticipation, our desire, our spiritual hunger for the good gifts of time, focus, and fellowship, are no less.
You see, if Christ had not been raised from the dead, our sins would not have been forgiven (“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Cor. 15:17);
our faith in Christ would be hollow (“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:” 1 Cor. 15:13);
and we would live in a depressed and hopeless state. (“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Cor. 15:19).
All the affairs of human history hinge on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the epic event that not only changed the life of the world, but it changes the life of each individual who personally celebrates his own resurrection in Christ! As you prepare your heart for worship, ask yourself: “Am I preparing time, focus, and fellowship with my matchless Savior in personal celebration of His resurrection?”
Time to renew my heart and mind daily.
Focus on the reality of Christ’s promised return.
Fellowship experienced by reliance on God.
May the blessings of a prepared heart be yours!
(-V.K.S.)