On Saturday He Rested

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised  Matthew 16:21 ESV

We all know what happened on that first day, that terrible and blessed day on the cross. On the third day it is very clear that Jesus rose from the dead. But in spite of many ideas and even elaborate tales no one truly knows just what occurred on Holy Saturday. So can we ask the question, “What if Jesus simply rested? What if when Jesus said, “It is finished!” and gave His spirit into his father’s hands He just rested – without sorrow, suffering or demands of any kind for that day. What if after three and a half years of ministry in which it was said that he had nowhere to lay his head and scarcely time to eat that Jesus chose to rest in His Father’s ability to do all that needed to be done for the day.

close up photo of sleeping baby

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What if Jesus rested because it was the Sabbath? What if the same day on which the creation of the heavens was completed Jesus just paused to see everything that was good in the new creation now begun? What if there are times in our own lives when there is nothing more holy to do than nothing? What if on this Holy Saturday we could quietly reflect and rest in the completed work of Jesus Christ. What would our lives be like if for even one day we simply trusted God to do all?

 

Sown in Weakness

It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 1 Corinthians 15:43 KJV

The year was 33 AD and the place; a barren hilltop outside of Jerusalem. Some of the crowd pressed in to watch the terrible details while Mary, John and Mary Magdalene stood further back shuddering to think of His suffering. Hands that once held bread to bless were now helplessly nailed to a wood beam. Feet that had walked on waves now painfully pressed down against the cross to lift Him just enough to take His next breath.

Even those who had sung His praises were now silent for fear of the Roman soldiers and  their spears. Others who had privately hated him now cursed Jesus openly as they watched His weak body writhing in pain on the cross. Finally at His very lowest moment He cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?”

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Often we think of our own weakness and struggle as if at that moment we are also farthest from God. But when Jesus was being sown in dishonor and darkness, there was being accomplished in Heaven the glory of our salvation. As in weakness He tasted the vinegar and took His last breath the power of sin was broken for anyone who came to Him. We must never accept that there is no purpose to our weakness; only that God’s purpose has not been yet seen. No matter that our friends fall silent or that our worst enemies seem to have the upper hand. At our weakest we are joined with our Lord and one day at the time of His choosing we will understand when we see His face in glory.

The World Stood Still

The World Stood Still

He had walked on water

Given life to the dead

He had fed five thousand

With five loaves of bread

But on that day

When the world stood still

Jesus gave His life

At His Father’s will

Then while soldiers gambled

For the clothes He wore

His disciples hid

Behind locked doors

But by His cross

One thief believed

And Mary wept

As He struggled to breath

And the thunder roared

And as darkness fell

He cried out “Forgive!”

And the world stood still

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 Biographical Sketch

Previously I served as a volunteer chaplain for more than twenty years at Allied Skilled Nursing in Scranton Pennsylvania. Last year my wife Nancy and I have retired and moved to Florida and are members of Generations Christian Church.  Together we have two sons, six grand-sons and one grand-daughter. Today I continue volunteering in three nursing homes in our new community.