What About Saturday

This year, more than any other, I have spent some time focusing on the Passion Week and its events. In the past, I guess I have been too busy with other things: cleaning house, washing and ironing Easter clothes, preparing the Easter dinner with all of the trimmings, filling Easter baskets for the kids. Shame on me. God has turned my focus this year away from all of the American-ized holiday activities and led me to just gaze upon Him. And I am in awe.

This morning, I am thinking about something completely new to my mind: what happened on Saturday - that day between the tragedy, the pain, the sorrow of Jesus’ crucifixion and the joy, the excitement, and the hope of His resurrection? We can trace the events of every day for that passion week, but no one ever says anything about Saturday.

What were the disciples doing on this Sabbath? Was Peter grieving over his denial of Jesus? Was John mourning the loss of his friend? I imagine Thomas was going about, telling everyone, "I told you so!" Were the other men gathered together, planning an escape before they could be captured and brought to trial, too? Or were they just thankful that they had not been taken at the same time as Jesus? Were they looking for a new leader or disbanding for good?

There were several women at the foot of the cross on that Friday, and Scripture actually tells us what they did on Saturday. They rested, just as the Torah commanded them to do. But what were they thinking while they rested? Did they feel abandoned? angry? confused? They must've talked to one another at some point, because they came to the tomb together on Sunday morning. Did they try to encourage one another? Did they cry on each other's shoulders?

Did Herod second-guess his choices from the day before? Did he believe that sentencing Jesus to death was no different than having John the Baptist beheaded or any other of his selfish, sinful acts? Or did he even think of these things at all?

Did the centurion search for someone who could explain this Son of God to him? Did the soldier who won Jesus' garment wear it that Saturday?

Interestingly, the book of Matthew tells us what one group of people did do on that dark, lonely day. The Pharisees went to Pilate and asked for a guard to be set around the tomb. The Pharisees, of all people, recognized that Jesus had claimed He would rise again on the third day. And they couldn't let that happen. He was too much of a threat to their "authority." They actually thought that they could control the God of the universe - the Almighty God who inhabits eternity, their Creator, their Judge, and the One who had just died for them - and keep Him in a tomb. What arrogance!

More questions than answers have obviously been raised in my mind. But the most important question is one that I would urge you to consider, as well. What will I be doing and thinking about tomorrow - this day between the sorrow and the rejoicing - when the power of the resurrection is already mine? Am I caught up in the busyness of the holiday, worrying about getting everything done? Or am I continuing to focus on Jesus - His example, His sacrifice, His love. Is my heart prepared for tomorrow?

Because Sunday changes everything.