A Quiet Saturday

-April 8, 2023-

Good morning, happy Holy Saturday,

“This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near” (Luke 23:52-54).

“Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone” (Matthew 27:65-66).

Jesus was dead, His body laid in the garden tomb of Joseph of Aramathea, who was himself a disciple. He, along with Nicodemus, who also believed in Jesus, went to Pilate requesting Jesus’ body so they could give Him a traditional Jewish burial. The tomb belonged to Joseph. The two of them carefully took down the body and laid it in the tomb which wasn’t far from the cross.

Pilate checked with the Centurion to make sure Jesus was dead, then released the body to Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin. The Jews told Pilate that Jesus told His followers that He would rise from the dead. Pilate told them to place a guard at the tomb to make sure the disciples didn’t come and steal the body and say that He was alive. There was a huge rock placed in front of the tomb. It was doubly secure, or so they thought. They didn’t account for an angel removing the stone and Jesus rising from the dead.

Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. But what went on Saturday? It was quiet. The Jews called it the Preparation Day. The Sabbath began Friday at sunset and lasted until Saturday at sunset. Jesus’ body was in the grave but His soul and spirit were in Paradise. His body was like an aircraft in the hanger waiting for the pilot to take control and take off. Nothing and no one could keep Him in the grave.

The hymn writer Robert Lowry wrote, “Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord. Vainly they watched His bed, Jesus my Savior! Vainly they sealed the dead, Jesus my Lord. Death could not keep his prey, Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord. Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign; He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose.”

Yes, it was a quiet Saturday awaiting a triumphant Resurrection Day. Have a blessed Holy Saturday preparing for Easter. Stay safe and healthy.

Looking forward to Easter,

Dean