Luke 23:50-56 - Waiting For...?

I listen regularly to the Lectio 365 daily reflection and the comment is made everyday to listen for a particular word or phrase that the Holy Spirit is highlighting and, for me, from this passage it is that of waiting. Verse 51 says that Joseph of Arimathea had been “waiting for the Kingdom of God to come” and it made me wonder how good we are at waiting? I suspect that none of us is very good as it; however, if you are please share your secret! Sometimes, there is excitement in the waiting; for a holiday or for an event that we are looking forward to, but sometimes the waiting brings pain or a fear of the unknown. For us, knowing the outcome of Jesus’ death – His resurrection – there is joy in the waiting as we anticipate Easter Sunday and have a chance to celebrate. For the disciples and Jesus’ family and friends the waiting after His death must have been a confusing and emotional time where I’m sure they wondered what the future would look like without Him.

Some of the words of a song by Shane and Shane came to my mind:

Out of the depths I cry to You
In darkest places I will call
Incline Your ear to me anew
And hear my cry for mercy Lord
I will wait for You, I will wait for You
On Your word I will rely
And I will wait for You, surely wait for You
′Til my soul is satisfied
So put Your hope in God alone
Take courage in His power to save
Completely and forever won
By Christ emerging from the grave

Christ did emerge from the grave, so as we wait for tomorrow, we do it expectantly, knowing that Jesus’ death on the cross was not the end. I hope that whatever we are waiting for just now we can take it to Jesus and that He will hear our cry and help to satisfy our souls.