Holy Week: Saturday
Saturday
I am not sure I have the words to paint the picture of what those closest to Jesus were feeling as the sun rose on Saturday of Holy Week. Some call this day Silent Saturday. We are given almost no content from scripture from this day outside of Matthew.
Matthew 27: 62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
Luke gives us a few words:
Luke 23 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
The Religious leaders were taking no chances with allowing the Disciples to plan a heist of Jesus' body, but outside of that, we are left to our own devices when it comes to knowing what happened on Holy Saturday.
We know the Disciples had found each other and locked themselves in a home for fear the religious leaders would come to them next. They were undoubtedly broken hearted, confused, and anxious because despite Jesus telling them He would rise from the dead, they had not fully understood that was something He was capable of or had downright missed that part of the teaching.
I will give the Disciples a nod on one thing, they knew how to best work through the darkest time of their lives. With the body of Christ. Well, not His actual body that was in the tomb, but in with the church that Jesus had called. They spent the sabbath with each other supporting, crying, praying and no doubt it was the only way they got through it.
So, what can we learn from Silent Saturday? Here are a few truths that traditionally we can take away:
A day of waiting doesn’t mean a day of defeat. A season of waiting doesn’t mean a season of defeat.
Just like Saturday, when Jesus was in the tomb, there are times in our lives where we feel like God isn’t listening or working, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We just don’t see or know what He is up to. Trust that God is working out everything in His time and for His will!
When you don’t know what else to do, rest in the Lord.
Now, this doesn’t mean just staying in bed. God has designed us as humans to rest. Work six rest one, that’s how God intended. Our problem is that we live in a society that is always on the go. The effort, energy, and strain that 24/7 full send mentality puts on our mind and soul cannot be understated. When you feel yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted you need to rest in the Lord. Take a day. Read His word. Worship Him. When you do that, your batteries are not just recharged, but your capacity is increased! Rest in the Lord!
Since it is a Silent Saturday, and the day of rest during Holy Week, I’m going to leave you with just those 2. As we rest and pray today, here’s our prayer focus leading into resurrection focus
Lord, help me trust even when I don’t see you working.
Lord, help me rest in my soul knowing that you finished the work.
Lord, be near to those who are in seasons of hurting.
Today is the last chance to invite your friends to church with you! No matter where you go, invite them and tell them you will sit with them! I am praying for the power of God to flow from each of your hearts on Resurrection Sunday!