Saturday, April 7, 2007
Holy Saturday
Matthew 27:62-66 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MORNING
It is Holy Saturday, Easter Eve. It is for us a Saturday unlike any other, for we anticipate the joy of the morrow.
For Jesus' disciples that first Holy Saturday was no doubt, a day of sorrow and fear.
For Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor, it was another day of humoring the humorless Jewish Leaders. They had threatened Pilate and had their way with Jesus, but it wasn't enough. They wanted more.
For the Chief Priests and Pharisees, Holy Saturday was a day to close the book on Jesus of Nazareth, a day to tie up loose ends. They came to Pilate with a request. They were thinking ahead, call it potential damage control.
Jesus said he would rise from the dead. They didn't believe it could happen, but they wanted to prevent any further misunderstanding. They'd see to it that someone was waiting for Him should He rise or be carried off by his disciples. Pilate, could we have a guard, please? Guard a dead man's tomb!
When was the last time you saw a guard at a cemetery? Usually, people don't try to break into cemeteries, they spend their whole lives trying to stay out of them. They were going to make sure Jesus stayed in the grave, where they put Him.
They didn't put Him in the grave. They didn't take life from Him. He gave it up. He willingly went the way of death. He wasn't suicidal. He was committed to your redemption.
Holy Saturday can be a quiet day, but we can't help but look forward to the morning light breaking on the tomb, the empty tomb.
We can't help but look forward to the rising dawn, and the rising Son. We can't help but think of the bright as snow countenance of the angel who opened the empty tomb for all to see.
We can't help but think of the guards . . . that became like dead men . . . and the dead man who rose and became for us Life and Salvation.
Christ is Risen! He is not here! Hallelujah!
