04/03/2021
Today is Holy Saturday, the day after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This is a day when the world, during the time of our Lord, either took a breath and sighed amidst its weeping and tears, or exhaled in relief, believing the man Jesus was dead. This is the aftermath of a day that had been a whirlwind mixture of violence, sin, and God’s love. Yes, on this day long ago, many pious Jews were celebrating the death of Christ, but Christian Jews were either mourning His loss, anxious as they struggled to understand what had happened, or feared that all they once believed about this man had been lost. Then there were those who simply dispersed, and went home to resume their earthly lives. But given the historic perspective of what we know occurred during Holy Week, how do we choose to see this day?
“but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
1 Peter 3:4 ESV
Today we know that Holy Saturday is just a brief respite between the days of crucifixion and resurrection. Today we should not despair, mourn, or become anxious because we know the joy that awaits us tomorrow. We should reread our opening scripture, and with a soft sigh, find that imperishable beauty that is Christ within us, and find the peace and calm of our faith as we lean into our gentle and quiet spirit. Today is the day when our belief and trust in tomorrow is meant to make us precious in the sight of God today.
God desires us to trust in Him completely, and to never lose sight of the fact that He not only loves us, provides for us, and watches over us in every physical way, but that He also does these things spiritually as well. In this way, and especially on this day, we should find rest for our body, and soul, as we are reassured in Jesus, Emmanuel, that God is indeed with us, and that He is making it possible for the resurrection of our spiritual and mortal selves into eternity with Him... so let’s be still, and confident in our faith, and strive in this way to be precious in His sight.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 ESV
So, are we anxious, or mournful today? I hope beyond hope, and pray in fervent desire that each of us adorns the hidden person of his heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit; one that believes completely that Jesus lives. I pray in the name of Jesus that as we look forward to the empty tomb which we will celebrate tomorrow, that today we will remain faithful, and precious, in the sight of God our Father. Let’s be still, and meditated on the truth of God’s Word, and be thankful for His most wonderful gift to us... Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the love you have for us, and that you show us every moment through your Son Jesus. Thank you Father for giving us peace and rest in the midst of the most trying, and evil, times known to man. Thank you for allowing our spirits to be quiet, and still as they trust in you completely during such times as these. Thank you for giving us a day of rest, snd reassurance, as we come to grips with the horror of the crucifixion, and prepare ourselves for the glory that tomorrow brings. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who we find trustworthy in all things, and who loves us without reservation. Praised be your name for sending your Son Jesus to redeem us, and to demonstrate to us the lengths and depths that you are willing to go in loving us. You are great Lord, and greatly to be praised! Your grace flows forth over us, and calms our spirits like a silent elixir of restful peace. Hear our prayers Holy Father, and witness their perfection as they are inspired by the Holy Spirit, and interceded for by Jesus Christ. On this day between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, we pray that you find us precious in the quiet stillness of our faith. Wash us clean by the blood of Jesus, and welcome us as your children to your eternal presence, and our family table.
““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””
Psalm 46:10 ESV
Rich Forbes