PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study Thirty Four Sept 15th to 21st 2008.
Reading – John Chapter 20:1-9.

In Limbo”

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the Tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him.”John Chapter 20: verses 1 and 2. (New International Version).

Friday afternoon at a PGA Tournament is one of the crucial stages of the Tournament. For many players this is when the cut is decided. Out of 144 players usually playing the top 60 players will play for the prize-money. Which players will play for the prize-money and which ones can go home, often empty handed?  Those right on the cut score wait anxiously to find out the 60th score.

It is an empty feeling knowing you have high hopes only to see them dashed. It happens though in life, in work, in sport, in health and in our expectations of God as well. I remember well waiting in limbo for results from exams knowing that a pass or failure would mean very different directions for my life. Being in limbo is a time of patience, reflection and trusting God. Life rarely unfolds as we expect or hope.

In our last study we looked at Joseph and Nicodemus who took the body of Jesus down from the cross and gained permission from Pilate the ruler to bury his body. This week it is Mary and other women mentioned in the other gospels that are caring for Jesus who had just died.

Mary, mentioned above in our reading, and other women went to the tomb of Jesus with spices for his body to pay their respects. Jesus had died on the Friday afternoon two days before. They had lost Jesus who they followed and loved and wanted to ensure in death he was cared for. Their future was in limbo now that Jesus had died and their high hopes they had of Jesus. 

There were a few women who followed and believed in Jesus who play a prominent role in witnessing the events of Easter Sunday. The first problem presented was that the stone at the entrance to the tomb had been removed and the body of Jesus was missing. Mary was naturally upset about this and ran to inform Peter and John two of Jesus’ closest followers. For Jesus to die was bad enough; but their emotions were further disturbed by Jesus’ missing body.

Their hopes had been dashed in many ways like it happens for professional golfers who no longer make it as players on the Tour, or Club Professionals who finish at a club and cannot find another job. Limbo can be quite disturbing especially for men who like to see their significance in their work and being successful.

But given time and other opportunities, life re-emerges in other ways. We come through these times often better people and more experienced at the realities of life.

God can be trusted to help us in these times. Mary does not know it yet, but her grief and worry will be turned to immeasurable joy later on this day

Prayer Merciful God, help us to trust you when we are uncertain about our life and future. Amen.

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Date: Monday 17th November.
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