While You Wait
Matthew 27:57-61
1. When God is Silent, Continue to Follow His Commands. (Matthew 27:57-58, Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
Deuteronomy 21:22-23, If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
2. When Life is Uncertain, Continue to Honor the Lord. (Matthew 27:59-60, 1 Peter 2:12, Joshua 24:15)
1 Peter 2:12, Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.
Joshua 24:15, But if it doesn’t please you to worship the LORD, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD.
3. When You Have Completed Your Mission, Await Further Instructions. (Matthew 27:61)
a. Wait in Faith. (Hebrews 11:1)
Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
b. Wait in Holy Fear. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Proverbs 3:5-7, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
c. Wait Prayerfully and Expectantly. (Psalm 5:1-3)
Psalm 5:1-3, Listen to my words, Lord; consider my sighing. Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to you. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch expectantly.