Saturday, April 3
Holy Saturday
Richard, Bishop of Chichester (1253)
Lamentations 3:37-58
Psalms 27, 88
Hebrews 4:1-16
Romans 8:1-11
Epistle to the Hebrews 4:1-16
Jesus was crucified and is now in the tomb. We are nearing the day that we have been looking forward to in anticipation for a long time, and it is tempting to skip this day in the narrative. Nothing is happening, after all. What’s more, we are nearing the end of an emotionally exhausting week, and tomorrow will be full of trumpets and family and big dinners. Plans need to be made, meals prepared. We are looking forward to rejoicing in the resurrection with friends and family, and rightly so.
But today, Jesus is still in the tomb. We are still mourning his death. Yesterday’s painful events are still fresh in our memories. Today, in this moment of limbo and waiting, let’s take time to notice what changes have occurred within us after this spending 40 days in penitence and prayer. We read today that “The promise of ‘arrival’ and ‘rest’ is still there for God's people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God. So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:8-11, The Message).
The temptation, after Easter, is to ease up, to take a break, to rest. But today’s text reminds us that we will find rest only with God in heaven, and that we must continue to be obedient and wait on God’s promises after all the partying is over, just like we still wait for Easter today on Holy Saturday. The good news that tomorrow brings, of course, is that we don’t have to do this alone. “Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin” (Hebrews 4: 14-15). The resurrection tomorrow will remind us that Jesus lives now, and is desperate to share his mercy and grace with us as we continue our struggle to be obedient to God. “So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help” (Hebrews 4:16).
Sarah Taylor