Celebrating Silent Saturday

Last night I heard Max Lucado speak on the Silent Saturday.

It was very profound to hear him speak with such clarity. Often times during the Easter season, we talk about Friday as the most horrible day and Sunday as the best day. We don’t really discuss Saturday.  I have thought about it for years.

Saturday is the Sabbath.

 When Mary, mother of Jesus and the others asked for his body on Friday, it had to be taken care of at a quick pace. Everything was not finished because they needed to prepare for the Sabbath as well, and no one could anoint, prepare or touch the body until Sunday, once the sun set.

All day Saturday they had to wait. Actually, from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. I cannot imagine the things going through the minds of each of Jesus’ followers, disciples or his mother. All while recognizing there was nothing they could do because of the day of rest.

Pause for a moment.

In all of Gods perfect creation, plan and more, it has escaped me my entire life how important the Sabbath falling the very next day after Jesus was crucified is. This was the day everything on earth stood still and quiet. There was no crowd. There were no soldiers. There was no chanting, no court being held, no movement in the streets.

Just silence while in the pit of hell there was a growing uproar. Jesus didn’t have to worry about the people on earth he left behind. He knew they would stay at home, in place to recognize the Sabbath. He knew they were safe for this one day. He knew they wouldn’t come to the tomb. He knew  he could focus on his next task.

He fought all of hell while the rest of the world he knew and loved was silent and celebrating the Sabbath. He was fighting for all of humanity while they all rested and followed the law. He battled tirelessly while they quietly mourned the loss they had endured.

Then came Sunday.

The tomb was empty, the soldiers stunned. The women were confused and angry at the thought of someone potentially stealing his body. There was great concern rippling through everyone involved in any level in his death. No one had an answer.

Until he appeared and allowed those faithful to see him, in the flesh. He was not an apparition. He was Jesus, whole again! His scars were proof of his identity. His calm demeanor and the way he spoke to them as if he was one of them and not a stranger.

I will forever consider Saturday between the crucifixion and Easter as the best quiet day ever. I will forever see the unlimited eternal possibilities granted to me on this day. Because without this day, Easter doesn’t come. Without this day, eternity is not won. Without this day, there is no hope in anything I have been taught.

This is the day hell was defeated forever and will forever be marked as the day Jesus conquered it all. This is the day all of His work culminated to. This is the day that assures me. This day is part of the ultimate gift of salvation.

Silent Saturday.

XOXO