Throughout the season of the church year we celebrate Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Three months later we commemorate Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. The longest season of the church year is Pentecost, celebrated 50 days later.
But what do we call “the Saturday” that falls between Good Friday and Easter? What if anything is so significant about it? And, does it have a “special name?” Well, it turns out, it does…
“Holy Saturday” or the “Great Sabbath” as it is “sometimes called” seems to be “a bridge” between Good Friday and Easter.” The Biblical account devotes “one lone verse” to it! Not a single Gospel writer records any “meaningful event” that took place on that first – Holy Saturday.
Yet, in many ways, the Saturday when Jesus “was in the tomb” should be “a significant high point” on the churches calendar. Saturday must be more than a time when we say, “Yesterday He died and tomorrow he will rise again, but today not much is happening” or going on…
“What’s the big deal about “Holy Saturday?” some may wonder…
For many — if spring is in the air — it is an opportunity to wash the car, take a walk, or just rest on the sofa. Others will buy groceries for tomorrow’s Easter dinner — or take their kids to an egg hunt…or walk the dog…or read a good book…
What happened on Saturday between Good Friday and Easter? To the “untrained eye,” nothing at all!
If we were to go to the tomb outside of Jerusalem at the crack of dawn on Saturday we would observe “little of major significance.” The body of a recently crucified man would be on a slab in a tomb — bloodied, discolored, rigid with rigor mortis. It would be a hideous sight (if we could see it). But we can’t because it is behind a sealed boulder that blocks the entrance and our view.
But in heaven above and on earth beneath, far from our human senses, there is “enough activity” to change all eternity.
The church has always taught that Jesus opened paradise, “ushering in” both the thief who died with him on a cross, and all those who had believed in the coming of the Messiah throughout the ages.
There is a sense “that a celebration is about to erupt” in heaven above at any moment! God is in charge. Death does not have the final word. God does. That is why Holy Saturday is so important on the church calendar. God IS acting! Slowly! Quietly! Behind the scenes!
Yet back in Jerusalem, on the earth below, it is business as usual. If you were to stop “the average person” and ask them about the “excitement of Friday afternoon,” inquire about “the execution of yesterday,” the individual might respond: “It is Saturday and it is finished!” It’s all over now…we’ve moved on…
To them then, like too much of our world two thousand years later, “the fat lady has sung”. The “entire episode” is “history”. It is “finished,” “kaput,” “over with,” “through,” “concluded” and “buried.” (literally!)
I imagine, in my mind’s eye: Simon Peter is still hearing the rooster crow somewhere in the background…
The disciples are just huddled together and are worrying if “they will be next”…they are afraid of their own shadows!!!
Caiaphas (the High Priest) was probably feeling “pretty good” knowing that he was rid, once and for all – of that charlatan. For three years he was a thorn in his side. For a thousand days he plotted and schemed just how to get rid of him. And now, oh glorious day, oh happy morning, it was done! It was over!
Up on the hill, in his fortress, Pontius Pilate washed his hands maybe for the umpteenth time since that trial. His hands looked clean enough, (he muttered to himself) but they still felt kind of dirty. He didn’t know why? Was it his OCD acting up or was it something else?
Pilate’s wife was still having bad dreams and worrying about the judgments that her husband makes on the judgment seat.
Members of the Sanhedrin slept comfortably knowing that Jesus was being well guarded. The stone sealed, the guard posted.
“It is Saturday and it is all over.” Life went on…and goes on…
Mary, the mother of Lord, weeps uncontrollably and she will not be comforted by anyone…she was there. She saw with her own eyes…
Sunday it will be lawful to anoint his body. The various ladies gather together and talk quietly among themselves. But today – today is the Sabbath. They must wait. It is quiet. It is somber for the followers of Jesus. It is over.
Poor Lazarus cannot believe the irony of it all, he is “alive and well” and Jesus who raised him – is in the grave. Mary and Martha are each lost in their own silent thoughts…It isn’t fair. It stinks. It always stinks…
Holy Saturday “tests” what each of us are made of…it “tests” who we are and what we believe.
Are we trusting in God?
Would he find us faithful?
Would we be found “waiting on him?”
It is Saturday, the Sabbath, they said, and it is all over.
I think they forgot about “WHO” has the final word…
Amen.