Day 48

Holy Saturday

from the Lent 2017: You Are Mine reading plan


Matthew 27:62-66

BY Amanda Bible Williams

Text: Matthew 27:62-66

Today is Holy Saturday. It is a sad day, a somber day, a real day on the timeline to the resurrection. But it is not an unimportant day. Indeed, the opposite is true.

Holy Saturday is a part of God’s fulfillment of His promise to redeem and restore His people. Holy Saturday is not defeat; it is the quiet but confident prelude to victory.

So what happened on the Saturday of Holy Week? Again today, we “Shes” find our hearts encouraged by the words of our He Reads Truth brothers—these written by pastor and author Russ Ramsey. Russ answers the question this way:

“That Saturday is one of the most unique and overlooked days in the history of the world because it was the only full day where the body of the crucified Son of God lay dead and buried in a grave.

“Holy Saturday can be a forgotten day in the Easter story. But when we look at the few verses the Gospels give us accounting for it, we find this was by no means a forgotten day to the chief priests who had handed Jesus over to death.

“During His earthly ministry Jesus said many times that He would die in Jerusalem at the hands of the chief priests, but on the third day He would rise again (Matthew 12:40; Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:34). Of course, the chief priests scoffed at this. But they didn’t forget it. And on the Saturday of Holy Week, Jesus’ prediction occupied their thoughts in such a way that they couldn’t leave it alone.

“The chief priests couldn’t seem to dismiss out of hand the possibility that Jesus might have known something they didn’t. They went to Pontius Pilate and explained that while Jesus was clearly an imposter, His disciples might try to steal His body and fake a resurrection. In a moment of prophetic irony, Pilate said, ‘Here is a guard of soldiers. Make the tomb as secure as you can’ (Matthew 27:65).

“Jesus’ uncommon strength, coupled with the supernatural darkness that settled over the land during His crucifixion the day before, set His accusers on edge. So on Holy Saturday, the chief priests made the tomb as secure as they could. Why? Because a resurrection would only cause people to believe in Jesus more.

“But then, shouldn’t the resurrection of the dead have that effect?”

On Holy Saturday, the chief priests made the tomb as secure as they could. But no amount of earthly might would keep Jesus in the grave.

Today we remember that Christ’s death was a real part of the story, but it was not the end of the story. Sunday was coming.

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Post Comments (48)

48 thoughts on "Holy Saturday"

  1. johanna tropiano says:

    I’m reminded on Holy Saturday of what it means to wait. Waiting is so hard for me! Just as Jesus’ disciples must wait the three long days for Christ to rise, I find myself waiting too. How do we find joy and peace in the waiting? By trusting that God is ultimately in control. That He loves us and has already won.

    http://www.themendproject.com

    1. Kristen says:

      Love this! Thanks for sharing!

  2. Emily B. says:

    I love what Amanda said about today being part of God’s fulfillment of His promise. Being in the tomb didn’t show that Jesus lied about why He’d come; in fact, it proved that He was Who He said He was. His victory over sin and death wouldn’t be complete without this day. I’m so thankful that He fulfills His promises, both then and now!

  3. Sarah D. says:

    Reminds me of the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North, Mike Donehey’s testimony: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yrJGnsKI9-c
    Even in the darkest of days, God is up to something beautiful. Thank you Lord!

  4. Mari says:

    I loved this, this morning. I never realized that today, Saturday, was the only full day that Jesus laid in the tomb. So thankful for Sunday. I did watch the short video Its Friday but Sunday is coming.

  5. Barbara says:

    Even today evil men try to keep the truth from being revealed. Nothing is hidden from God.In God’s own time the truth is revealed,whatever men try to hide God will reveal in a way that every one will know.God always exposes evil.ln America today much evil is being exposed in the highest offices of government. Many people think that they can use ungodly means to obtain Godly results. I am wondering who are the chief priests of today who are making the tomb secure.

    1. Naomi says:

      The Lord used Rahab (a prostitute), David (an adulterer & murderer), Jonah (a man who ran from God), Saul (a former persecutor of Christians)…the list goes on and on…don’t think that he can’t use someone who is less than perfect “to obtain Godly results.” There is no tomb to be secured. The stone HAS been rolled away. Christ IS risen!

  6. Michele says:

    Great way to reflect on Holy Saturday.

  7. Leslie says:

    Since Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath, I wonder if there was any interruption in their normal Sabbath routine because of the events of the day before – especially the tearing of the veil in the temple. It doesn’t seem like they could carry on with ‘normal’ Sabbath tradition. Also, was it not inconsistent with the Pharisees’ and Chief Priests’ Sabbath practice to hold a meeting with Pilate? Wonder if they considered clandestine meetings work?

    1. Michele says:

      Great thought provoking questions

    2. Kersti says:

      Wow I’ve never considered that! What a great question!

  8. Kersti says:

    If you ladies have a moment. I am just about to write my final exam, please pray for me! ❤️

    Blessings on you all

    1. Emily says:

      Praying for you, Kersti!

      1. Missy says:

        Praying Kersti!!!!

        1. Kersti says:

          Thank you!!! ❤️

    2. Zoe says:

      Said a prayer for you, Kersti!

      1. Kersti says:

        Thank you❤️

    3. Jody Heavenrich Hensley says:

      Prayers said for you!

      1. Kersti says:

        Thank you ❤️

    4. Ruthie says:

      Praying for you, Kersti! Trust your exam goes well!

      1. Kersti says:

        Thank you❤️

    5. Mari says:

      Praying right now Kersti!

      1. Kersti says:

        ❤️

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