Holy Saturday

“Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.” Mark 15:46

It’s almost time. The brass has rehearsed and the singers are ready. We’ve done our walkthrough of the Easter Vigil. As I type these words, the sanctuary is being decorated and prepared for Easter worship. It’s almost time.

But first, we wait. The world waits on this Holy Saturday, this Great Sabbath, remembering the time when Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. He was not resting, of course. He was continuing the victory he had won on the cross by preaching good news and release to the dead. The world did not know this at the time, but Christ worked. Even in death.

Today, we wait. We know the story, anticipate its joyful conclusion. But we also know pain and loss, suffering and grief. We know what it feels like to not know how to move forward. To be trapped. Entombed, we might say.

Christ is with us in such moments, for he lived them (and died them) himself. Christ is present with you, and he will not leave you where you are.

And soon, the joyful news: This is the night!

Be well, friends. You are loved.

Holy God, we thank you for the death of Jesus. In his death, death is defeated. Prepare our hearts and minds for the festal shout to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: Wall mosaic of the entombment of Jesus, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (used with permission).