“Ugh…Monday”
I can’t count the number of times I’ve read the resurrection passages in the gospels. I marvel at angels, the empty tomb, dense disciples, and I imagine myself on the scene.
All these years, until last week, I have missed the introductory phrase in all four gospel accounts. The phrase is either, “…after the sabbath…” (Matthew and Mark) or “…on the first day of the week…” (Luke and John). Both phrases mean essentially the same thing. I bet you’ve hustled past those words as well. We know the timeline, let’s get to the good stuff!
Not so fast. That little phrase carries a surprising truth.
The Jewish Sabbath was and is, Saturday. In fact, only after Jesus’ resurrection did the Christian day of worship become Sunday. Here’s why that matters; for everyone in the resurrection passages, their Sunday felt like our Monday. I don’t mean the days actually changed but the way we feel on Monday, the start of our work week, was the way Mary and John and Peter and the rest of the gang felt on Sunday. Sunday was, for the first century Jew, the start of their work week. We hit the snooze on Monday morning and groan, “Ugh…Monday.” They rolled out of bed and sighed, “Ugh…Sunday.”
Big deal, right? Kind of. Here’s why. When Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome headed out to the tomb on what we now know as Resurrection Sunday, everyone else in Jerusalem and Judah busied themselves preparing for just another work week. Donkeys were fed and watered, shopkeepers swept the floors, fishermen readied their nets, and farmers cultivated the earth. The faithful women of Jesus’ entourage put off their normal daily activities to properly prepare Jesus’ dead body. As they hurried to the tomb, tears in their eyes, the rest of the world plodded by. “Ugh..Sunday.”
But on that ordinary day, God changed everything! On that day, Jesus walked out of the tomb and in so doing altered the course of human history and divine destiny. After some time to process what must have seemed inconceivable, the women led the chorus, “He is risen!” To which the church responds across the centuries, “He is risen, indeed!”
God chooses to do God-sized stuff on God’s own schedule. We pick moments, prepare, and ask God to bless our plans. There’s nothing wrong with that. Our gracious God blesses our best efforts. But often God chooses an ordinary day, an inconvenient time, or an unlikely person to bring about something amazing. As I write, it’s Monday. I’m a little groggy, I have a full schedule, and if I’m honest, not anticipating much resurrecting today. If my reasoning in these few paragraphs is right, however, I’d better get ready because it’s precisely this kind of day, with an ordinary Joe like me that God might decide to do something amazing.
Join me in expectation this Eastertide.
Want to be sure you don’t miss resurrection moments this season? Pick up a copy or download “Mobilized for Blessing Our Community Prayer Journal,” that leads us on a prayer journey from now until Pentecost.
This resource is available at:
https://www.usacanadaregion.org/cycle-of-resurgence/blessing-our-community
Sam
