Good Friday proves the all out, stop at nothing, go all the way to death, unfaltering, persistent, inexhaustible, love of God for us.
Yet, sandwiched between the horror of Jesus’ crucifixion and the glory of His resurrection—between the sorrow of Friday and the celebration of Sunday—was “the silence of Saturday.” This was a day when the scripture and seemingly even the angels were silent.
I had never heard of “Silent Saturday” until a past staff posted it on her IG story. Check out this blog by Max Lucado. https://maxlucado.com/the-silence-of-saturday/
Jesus is silent on Saturday. The women have anointed his body and placed it in Joseph’s tomb. The cadaver of Christ is as mute as the stone which guards it. He spoke much on Friday. He will liberate the slaves of death on Sunday. But on Saturday, Jesus is silent. So is God. He made himself heard on Friday. He tore the curtains of the temple, opened the graves of the dead, rocked the earth, blocked the sun of the sky, and sacrificed the Son of Heaven. Earth heard much of God on Friday. Nothing on Saturday. Jesus is silent. God is silent. Saturday is silent. Max Lucado
The “Saturday of waiting” is between the crucifixion of Jesus on that Good Friday and his resurrection, where he conquered death on Easter Sunday.
It would was the Sabbath day for the disciples. The disciples would have been heart broken, sad for sure, a little depressed definitely, worried about what might happen to them, certainly. And I believe they didn’t really understand what Jesus had told them until His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
I imagine that, quite apart from their intense grief, it was a day of emotional exhaustion, mental disorientation, and social isolation. This makes sense after all that had transpired the day before. And, at this point, they didn’t know exactly what the day after would be like. What I do know is that they needed this day to stop and consider the three years leading to these significant events. They needed to search their hearts. They needed to trust in God’s greater plan. They needed a time of reprieve before their “mission” truly began on a whole new level. Lisa Elliott
What did a Sabbath day in Jesus day look like? A little research brought me this information.
- The Friday evening service with a call to worship and prayers
- The Shabbat dinner on Friday
- Saturday morning has a service, then the Mussaf, an additional service that consists of repetition of other Shabbat liturgy. The festivals in commemoration of the additional sacrifices that were formerly offered in the Temple of Jerusalem (Numbers 28, 29). Shabbat ends with the Saturday Havdalah, a concluding service that takes place once the first three stars have appeared in the night sky. With blessings over lights, wine or grape juice, and spices, Havdalah is an inspiring way to end Shabbat and start the new week as a family.
And, where did Jesus go between the Cross and the resurrection? The Apostles’ Creed teaches us that He (Jesus) suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell.
Christ, in remaining dead for three days, experienced death as all humans do: his body remained in the grave, and his soul remained in the place of the [righteous] dead. He did not suffer there, but, remaining the incarnate Son, proclaimed the victory procured by his penal substitutionary death to all those in the place of the dead—fallen angels, the unrighteous dead, and the [Old Testament] saints. Christ’s descent is thus primary the beginning of his exaltation, not a continuation of his humiliation. (Emerson, 103)
Christ’s descent to the dead, rather than a doctrine that confuses or misleads, is a beautiful, hopeful, celebratory aspect of Christian theology. Matt Emerson. Read the rest of Matt’s article here; http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/preach-christ-descent-dead/
But most churches that believe in an actual descent of Jesus into hell do not see him going to hell for further suffering because Jesus declares on the cross, “It is finished.” Rather, he goes to hell to liberate those spirits who, from antiquity, have been held in prison. His task in hell then is one of triumph, liberating Old Testament saints. RC Sproul
On this “Silent Saturday” take some time to pause, wait and reflect. I like this quote by @redeemerctc. Teach us to wait well. When heaven feels silent. When hope seems lost. Teach us to rest in the awareness of You as the promise keeper. Help us as we reflect on how empty the world felt the Saturday after the crucifixion, remind us that even when we don’t know it, you are working still.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
Meandering Moose 