April 23rd, 2011

Holy Saturday…

                Holy Saturday. How do we begin to get our head around this day? For most people (generally speaking; Americans and specifically, Protestants) this is just a Saturday, the day of Easter egg hunts, picnics, yard work, worship band practices, and a host of other activities – all good. Consider for a moment, Jesus.

                The Bible records that Jesus was, in fact, dead on this day; the day before His resurrection. It’s easy to dismiss this with a simple, “Well, of course he was dead. How else could He have risen from the dead?” But it’s really not quite so simple. Think about it…just sit there in that unresolved moment and think about Jesus being fully dead…a bit of a “brain-buster”, I think. For many it’s not a difficult thing at all because they either do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead (making Easter irrelevant beyond the tradition of an Easter egg hunt), or Jesus is considered to have been a great man and prophet, but all the “God-talk” regarding Jesus is metaphorical, or simply made up. However, if you believe that Jesus was and is all that the Bible says He was and is, this day has profound meaning.

The full death of Jesus is the only way a full forgiveness could happen. Volumes have been written trying to explain it away. Sermon after sermon have been delivered focusing on Jesus’ resurrection, but rarely His death – not the crucifixion, but the day he was dead. Jesus died completely and fully so that (meaning that His death had a purpose) all sin can be atoned for; forgiven and erased in the heart and mind of God.

The degree to which you believe Jesus was actually and fully dead, is the same measure to which you can accept the unconditional love and forgiveness of God the Father.

Posted: 1 year ago