Engage

Holy Saturday (Part II)

Holy Saturday comes at different times, in different ways and even different lengths for each of us.  Specifically we remember Holy Saturday as the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is the day of the unknown and a day of rest.  Two things that do not naturally go hand in hand for people.

Holy Saturday comes at different times, in different ways and even different lengths for each of us.  Specifically we remember Holy Saturday as the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is the day of the unknown and a day of rest.  Two things that do not naturally go hand in hand for people.

Holy Saturdays can be seen and experienced throughout our lives.  There are many times when something has died, is missing, is lost and we hope, pray and wait for its resurrection.  There are times when whatever is dead, missing, lost will never be resurrected until Christ returns. 

Death can come in many forms.  It can come in the form a job loss, it can be the loss of a child, the burden and weight of a physical disability, a mental struggle, an emotional weight.  You may find another job – there is hope for resurrection there.  The loss of a child – you have to wait for full healing until Christ returns.  Physical loss or challenges, emotional, mental – many have to wait until Christ returns and some do have opportunity for resurrection before that.  There are many, many other examples, and the fact is that Holy Saturday can look different and last for different lengths of time for a person, a family and even a community.

Holy Saturday is incredibly difficult and yes, God is capable of resurrecting anything and everything.  When we look at history and hear stories we realize that even though He is capable of resurrecting anything and everything, He does not always.  This is difficult for me and I imagine for many others.  

When God chooses not to resurrect or fully heal something in our lives we live our entire lives with the pain and weight of a very long Holy Saturday.  And like the women in Luke’s gospel (23:5-24:1) we have a choice – we can rest.  They rested for a day.  I cannot imagine what rest looks like for a lifetime. 

First of all, I cannot imagine choosing to rest in a difficulty, choosing to cease from wrestling and striving in the midst of something chronic.  That challenges everything within my nature and personality.  Secondly, I don’t think rest is not doing anything to work, manage, heal partially, cope, etc with whatever the source of pain and challenge is.  What I do believe that rest mainly has to do with faith, trust and peace.  I do not know what that faith and trust looks like for an individual, a family or a community, but I think that it is a critical part of resting.  When we rest we are ultimately letting go of control and trusting God.  Sure we still do things that take care of ourselves, make wise decisions, etc, but ultimately we are loosening our grip.

What has been or is a Holy Saturday for you?  How are you (can you) choose to rest during it, whether one day, a lifetime or somewhere in between?  How is God calling you to rest and trust Him as you wait for resurrection?

  As you rest in Him may God grant you peace, perseverance and hope unimaginable.