PASSION WEEK: THE SABBATH OBSERVANCE

Memory Text: Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jn.2:9.

     On this anniversary Sabbath "the Christ of God" lay lifeless in a very dignified tomb provided by the wealthy Joseph of Arimethaea; thus, fulfilling the prophecy: “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Isa.53:9. But it was GOD the Son who breathed the breath of life into Adam. It was He who put the breath of life in every creature. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Jn.1:3. But now His breath is taken away. Men had taken from Him what He had freely given them.

     The evil of men then and today makes no logical or ethical sense. There is no reason to account for such displays of wickedness other than to say that it is prompted by demonic spirits that ride roughshod over the souls of men. This is why Paul said, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph.6:12. This is also why Jesus said the day He was crucified: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Lu.23;34.

     Nothing convinces more of the existence of Satan than when we see the immorality of men trampling their own conscience to the point of searing the last vestiges of good will toward others. To see so much time and affection spent on displaying indifference to GOD’S call to repent and reform is pathetic beyond any reasonable thinking. As it is written, they “have changed their glory for that which doth not profit .” Even “our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.” Jer.2:11; 16:19. This negates the supreme joy to be gained in this sinful world of ours, which is the pouring out of one’s life for the blessing of others. This the conscience cannot deny! And yet the exact opposite is the ruling force behind every government, institution and religion.—All claiming to serve virtuous living, and yet all of the age-old problems plaguing society never get resolved. We are as far from utopia today as were our ancestors.

     In the day of our LORD’S betrayal, torture and crucifixion, once the priests of Judæa were given permission to carry out their "wicked heart" against Jesus His eleven remaining disciples knew they were marked men. On the Sabbath day they hid themselves. Just two nights before they were competing over “who should be accounted the greatest” among them (Lu.22:24). And now their souls trembled with fear. Their faith shattered, their future glory crushed; and now even their lives stood in jeopardy. Jesus had warned them many times of His fate at the hands of men, “But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.” Lu.9:45.

     The disciples of Christ were trapped in the popular views of salvation and prophecy: each of which contradicted the Savior's own words and mission. But there was nothing in Christ's teaching or methods that stood against a plain "Thus saith the LORD." Nevertheless, their religious upbringing was so ingrained in them that any idea put forth that stood opposed to their upbringing, which was reinforced by the religious leaders doctrines on salvation, it was instinctively denied any consideration. This unyielding character lends weight to the value of Christ’s words, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt.18:3. Children are not hardened in their ways. They are teachable, moldable, trusting, and above all desire to know they are safe in one’s care.

     But on this Sabbath day, with their futures bleak and their lives hanging in the balance the disciples never loved Jesus more than they did that Sabbath day when He was away. For 3 ½ years they watched Him, walked with Him, talked with Him—listened to Him. They witnessed the most amazing miracles to ever come to this sinful world displaying the love of GOD toward His wayward children. They saw how Jesus masterfully thwarted every attempt by the priests to ensnare and accuse, even sending them away ashamed of themselves. Even those sent by the priests to find something from which they could accuse Jesus before their Roman masters, they returned to the priests saying, “Never man spake like this man.” Jn.7:46. Time and again Jesus fulfilled every significance of what it means to live a godly life: “And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” Matt.22:46.

     “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Prov.16:7. Jesus did everything to draw the church leaders to understand His character of love and His mission to save Israel, and through them the whole world. But “they stopped their ears.” Acts 7:57. And as Jesus hung on the Cross of Calvary the disciples saw how men had put nails through His hands and feet: those feet that traversed the land of Judæa and Samaria ever serving the needs of others: and those hands He laid on the leper to heal him, the children to bless them, to feed the thousands who were hungry after hearing His gracious words, and everyone who came to be delivered from their demons. The very gifts GOD gave to man to uplift the dignity of man, wicked men who stood as GOD’S stewards over the temporal and spiritual destiny of men viciously and vigorously assaulted. Those in leadership roles who were called to raise a higher banner of virtue made a mockery of the Image of GOD in man.

     But the Holy Spirit was working on the minds and hearts of Christ’s disciples, bringing to their remembrance the answer to their question of why did this happen? During this time all who followed Jesus declared, “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel.” Lu.24:21. After the resurrection of our LORD, Jesus would respond, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (v.25,26).

     This Sabbath would soon be over. And on the first day Jesus would be called forth from the tomb to breathe the breath of life again. No more a suffering servant, but a risen Saviour!