Awkward Saturday

There is a tension between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, between death and life. For those of us who pause to reflect on the significance of these two days, Saturday holds a tension that forces one to see the evil, the separation, the depth and death of sin. We feel the weight of the cost of sin. At least...I think we should.
For years I struggled with what to do with Saturday. It’s too soon to celebrate, but Jesus is still dead. What am supposed to do with that??
And isn’t that exactly the question we’re supposed to be asking??
When Jesus was hung on a cross to be killed, the disciples didn’t know what to do. They’d given their whole lives. Everything they believed in had been staked on this one person - Jesus.
He healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, made the lame walk, spoke truth and peace and comforted restless, weary hearts. And now he’s gone.
People traveled long distances to see and hear Jesus. People gave up families and livelihoods in devotion to Jesus.
Now Jesus was hung on a cross for death and buried in a rock tomb.
Condemned as a criminal.
Unfairly suffered and died.

Now what do I do?



Let that empty space fill you. Pause.
This is exactly the question that Saturday forces us the reflect on. What do I do now without Jesus?

What if Jesus hadn’t come back?
This Saturday would be our every day. This tension, this weight, this hopelessness, would become our normal.
Everything that Jesus preached becomes empty. His wisdom and knowledge are evidence of just another great man killed too soon. The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “[I]f Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”
Saturday is a day to recognize the weight and significance of Jesus Christ resurrected.
Because the hopelessness and weight knees of Christ’s death is very real. He paid for all of our sins with his body on the cross. And he did it willingly. He died for me. He died for you. But our hope is not in a dead martyr, it’s in a living Savior. His resurrection makes a difference.

So today, I encourage you to stop and let the weight of the Saturday between sit on you. Let it resonate.
The questions.
The regret.
The disappointments.
The sin.

Because we know something that the disciples had forgotten this Saturday - Jesus’ resurrection is coming. We will not be left to live in death and sin and hopelessness.  We have very great reason to celebrate! Take time to reflect on what makes this celebration so great.