When we observe Holy Week, we often focus on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday. But a spiritually important topic emerges on what I call ‘Silent Saturday.’
Imagine those early Jesus followers in the first century. Their champion had been brutally murdered by the Roman empire at the instigation of the Jewish religious leaders. This Jesus was supposed to be their future Messiah — the one who would save them from oppression and bondage.
They did not realize he did just that. Through his death, Jesus rescued them and all of us from the oppression of our sin nature and the bondage of sin’s consequences.
But all they felt on that Silent Saturday was the emptiness of dashed hopes and the certainty of unanswered prayers.
They could not look forward — could not even imagine what would happen the next day — even though their champion had prophesied it and clearly reminded them he was coming back alive.
We also face our Silent Saturdays. When a prayer goes unanswered day after day, month after month. When we feel hopeless because of circumstances. When our dreams feel wrapped in graveclothes, trapped in tombs of despair.
Yet Resurrection Day is coming. When eternal life forever cancels death. When unanswered prayers are explained, or they don’t matter anymore. When more than we can imagine or even pray for breaks into a reality. When hope becomes a constant.
Whatever your Silent Saturday holds, look ahead toward resurrection, restoration, and the breaking open of tombs.
You are loved with an everlasting love, and the answer is coming.
©2024 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
Image by gracethroughfaith/Pixabay
Check out more Easter stories in The Women of Passion Week.
what life giving words, grounded in truth. thank you
Thanks for the comment, Jerry. He is risen indeed.
Lovely reflection. One filled with meaning. This past Saturday I thought about transition. From a deeply significant yet necessary tragedy to an awakening filled with hope. Jesus, as God on earth, made himself the center of that dichotomy as his most significant message to us. We keep repeating that cycle of tragedy and renewal, but his death and resurrection make us more aware of what we must ultimately achieve as a continuous and everlasting way of living. And believing.
Truth. He is risen indeed and He is our hope.
Great post Rebecca
Thanks, Evie. I appreciate the comment.
I think this is one of your best blog posts.
Thank you!