The day of darkness, Holy Saturday. The day we often rush through. Because darkness can be uncomfortable, it can spur on fear. But there is also growth that can happen in the darkness. Christ’s death ended the story as the Jews, and the Gentiles knew it. But they thought the Messiah was to come and conquer, not die on a cross. How could a man rise from the dead now? We know Sunday is coming because we get to see the whole picture.
Imagine what that Saturday must have felt like. Where did people turn to? Was it back to business as usual? Were they lost in sorrow, lost in the darkness?
They were stuck in the messy middle - the space between the story that just ended and the one about began. Dawn brought the new story found in Christ’s resurrection. The story we get to share day in and day out as the church with non-believers. But that day of darkness, I sometimes wonder what that really would have felt like to be present.
How has this season of Lent been for you? Do you feel like you were walking through a wilderness? Do you feel like you walked better in surrender? Sunday’s coming! Where is God calling you to go as we celebrate his resurrection?
Scripture to Meditate on:
Job 14:1-14, ESV
1 “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. 2 He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. 3 And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you? 4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. 5 Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass, 6 look away from him and leave him alone,[a] that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day. 7 “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. 8 Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, 9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant. 10 But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he? 11 As waters fail from a lake and a river wastes away and dries up, 12 so a man lies down and rises not again; till the heavens are no more he will not awake or be roused out of his sleep. 13 Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath be past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal[b] should come.
Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, ESV
In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me for you are my refuge.
15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! 16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!
Others to read: 1 Peter 4:1-8, Matthew 27:57-66
Song of Meditation:
Buried in the Grave by All Sons and Daughters