The Day Before the Sabbath - Mark 15:42

When Jesus was crucified, Mark wrote how, “Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome. (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty-two of his book, Mark shared about, “the day before the sabbath” where we read:

And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

The verse reads, “And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, ...” Mark began with the words, “and now when” or “and then at the time and moment” “the even was come” which means “the late afternoon which was between the hours of three to six o'clock p.m”, “because” or “since and on account that” “it was the preparation” which means “it was the making ready, equipping and readiness time”. Mark referred to the “time of preparing” which was done during the late afternoon of the day before the “Sabbath” day.

The verse goes on to say, “... that is, the day before the sabbath,” Mark continued with the words, “that is” or “which exists as”, “the day before” which means “the sunrise to sunset in advance of” “the sabbath” or “the Jewish day of rest”. Mark defined the “preparation day” as the day before the Jewish “day of rest”.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how he noted the time of the day when most Jewish people would “prepare” for their “Sabbath” day of rest. No work was to be done upon the “Sabbath” day, and so the meal and activities had to be “prepared” in advance of that “day of rest”. God designed the plan of salvation so His Son Jesus would die for the sins of mankind on the day before the “Sabbath” day. Jesus became the “rest” for mankind when He died, and even as the “Sabbath” preparation was made by the Jewish people, God made preparation so people could be at “rest” in a relationship with His Son Jesus. (Seen Hebrews 4:3-11) Jesus is the “rest” for those who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord”, and those who are wise will yield their lives to Him.

Next time Mark shares about, “Joseph of Arimathaea”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".