Less is written about the Saturday following Jesus’s crucifixion than any other in the scope of this week. Yet what makes it unique is that this is the only full day in history where the body of Christ lies buried in a cave. Yesterday, He was crucified. Tomorrow, He rises from the grave. But what about today? Though we may not make much of this day, when we look at the few verses the Gospels give us about it, we find it was by no means forgotten by the chief priests who had handed Jesus over to death. During His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly said He would die in Jerusalem at the hands of the chief priests, yet on the third day rise again (e.g., Matt. 12:40; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34).
Of course, the chief priests scoffed. But they didn’t forget it. On the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Jesus’s prediction preoccupies their thoughts such that they simply can’t leave it alone. Matthew 27:62–66 tells the strange story of how they can’t dismiss out of hand the possibility that Jesus might know something they don’t. The Guard at the Tomb- 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. And then we’ll move, once again, into RESURRECTION SUNDAY/EASTER, the Day of Glory Matthew 28:1–20, Mark 16:1–8, Luke 24:1–53,John 20:1–21:25 Tomorrow we will awaken with a song in our hearts. We’ll hear, “He is Risen.” And respond, “The Lord Is Risen Indeed!” This is the glorious beauty of the gospel. Jesus didn’t die as a martyr for a cause. He was never in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was never at the mercy of anyone. He lived, died, and was buried because He meant to be. No one took His life from Him. He laid it down. For whom? For His flock, His people, for the world. And He laid it down only to take it up again (John 10:18). The point of the cross was not just to die, but to die and rise again, defeating the prowling wolves of sin and death. Easter says of Jesus, “He meant it! He meant to lay down His life for us all. And as surely as He has taken it up again, He knows us and loves us, and promises the same new life for everyone!” Let’s Pray: Lord, help us to live into the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every single day. Infuse our hearts with profound thankfulness for Your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon Your grace in awe and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell Your good news to the world. Happy Easter! P Jim ♥️⚓️ Readings throughout this week are taken from “Gospel Coalition”, Russ Ramsey, Julie Cosgrove. Freely adapted by Jim Knapp Comments are closed.
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September 2023
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