Following Good Friday and preceding Easter Sunday is Holy Saturday. Scripture informs us that the body of Jesus rested in the tomb on this day. Holy Saturday is noted for the silent anticipation by the Christians as they awaited His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Let's consider Holy Saturday further. As mentioned, after His crucifixion on Good Friday, Jesus' body was placed in a nearby tomb where it remained throughout Holy Saturday (Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19: 39-42).
Churches that customarily observe Holy Saturday regard it as a day of somber meditation. It is a time best used for thinking about the bleak and dismal world that could be without the optimism and promise of Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Mark 14:50 records the dispersion of the disciples after Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Following this incident they then spent the first Holy Saturday hiding in fear of being arrested themselves (John 20:19).
One can only imagine the grief, shock, and confusion felt by the disciples as they tried to process the events leading up to this point (i.e., Jesus's murder, the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, not to mention having their hopes crushed.)
Although Holy Saturday is mentioned in each Gospel, Luke 23:55 provides us with a peek inside the law supporting this particular day. After Jesus's body was wrapped in linen and placed in the tomb, the women from Galilee saw this and returned home to prepare spices for a proper burial.
However, by the time the preparations were finished the Sabbath had started and was against the law for the women to set up the spices to anoint His body. The women obeyed the Sabbath commandment by resting and postponed the anointing until Sunday (the first day of the week).
After the conclusion of Sabbath on Sunday morning, they returned to Jesus's tomb and tried to honor His body. It is at this point that the glorious miracle of His resurrection was revealed to them, as seen in Luke 24.
The Gospels share very similar accounts of what transpired in the time between the death of Christ and His resurrection (cf. Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 19). That everything happened this way wasn't just a random occurrence but has a deeper, heavenly explanation.
One can confidently say that Holy Saturday is a time for us to to trust in God, seek His presence, and allow Him to guide and shape our lives, even in difficult times. It's an excellent day to avoid asking for anything, and just spend time with God.
Scripture: Isaiah 52:13; Matthew 27:62-66; John 2:19-21; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 12:2
Prayer: "Lord, provide us with a heart full of joyful anticipation while we await the resurrection, knowing that through Christ's victory, death has been conquered and new life is offered to all who believe in Him, Amen."
Wishing you peace and grace always,
Serenity
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