Holy Saturday
What's going on?
Today is Holy Saturday, sometimes called Silent Saturday. It’s but one day, but there’s much to consider. Perhaps we’ll return to some of these things after Resurrection Sunday. For today, it is a day of reflection. It’s good to avoid too much activity. Easter is coming — a day full of activity. But we’re not there yet. Can you sit for a bit and allow the moment of Holy Saturday to settle in for a while?
John provides a lot of details in but twelve verses after Jesus’ death. Joseph of Arimathea is a new character, showing up for the first time right here. But Nicodemus, who we met in chapter three, returns. Both men of influence seek to honor Jesus in his death. These are interesting details because Jesus’ core disciples are still nowhere to be found. While we might not expect any of his core disciples to have the means to take care of his body, the fact that they are no where to be found is notable. Their expectations were shattered. But the men of influence—Joseph and Nicodemus—they did show up. This doesn’t mean they understood everything about Jesus’ death. But it does give us an example of people who do what’s right even amidst the confusion and uncertainty. Does that speak to you?
In a number of ways, we are living in an extended Holy Saturday. To be sure, Jesus is risen even today. But not all things are fully restored.
Perhaps you’ve noticed…
Perhaps you’ve even got some questions about it all. Jesus came and did some pretty cool things. He brought healing to many. But sinfulness and death continue to reign in many ways.
What’s going on?
John 19:31-42
It was the Preparation Day and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath, especially since that Sabbath was an important day. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken and the bodies taken down. Therefore, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men who were crucified with Jesus. When they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead so they didn’t break his legs. However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. The one who saw this has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he speaks the truth, and he has testified so that you also can believe. These things happened to fulfill the scripture, They won’t break any of his bones. And another scripture says, They will look at him whom they have pierced.
After this Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one because he feared the Jewish authorities. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took the body away. Nicodemus, the one who at first had come to Jesus at night, was there too. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloe, nearly seventy-five pounds in all. Following Jewish burial customs, they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it, with the spices, in linen cloths. There was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish Preparation Day and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus in it.
Psalm 130:5-6
I hope, Lord.
My whole being hopes, and I wait for God’s promise.
My whole being waits for my Lord— more than the night watch waits for morning; yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!
Prayer1
God,
Grant that, as the crucified body of your Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer