Silence and Reflection
Welcome to the day of silence and reflection.
Last night, Jesus was taken down from the cross. The penalty for our sin was paid in full. The fight was over, and it appeared that death may be winning. The disciples had scattered. The followers of Jesus were lost, disillusioned and without hope. Where was the hope on Saturday? It was resting with the Father!
Jesus' body lay in the tomb, where it was guarded by Roman soldiers throughout the day on Saturday, which was also the Sabbath. When the Sabbath ended at 6 p.m., the body of Jesus was prepared for burial with spices purchased by Nicodemus:
"He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus' body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth." (John 19: 39-40, NIV)
I love this hopeful picture. Nicodemus was a religious leader and he was taking a huge risk in honoring someone who had been accused of blasphemy. Nicodemus had become a follower of Jesus somewhere along the line but now, he boldly came out of hiding, risking his reputation and his life because he had come to realize that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah! What a miraculous transformation!
While His physical body lay in the tomb, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin by offering the perfect, spotless sacrifice. He conquered death, both spiritually and physically, securing our eternal salvation:
"For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV)
The hope of Saturday comes from the transformation of our hearts! While it appeared there was nothing happening, Jesus was accomplishing His mission of securing the keys of life and death! Our life and our death!
Have you lost hope? Do you feel like something within you has died? Take heart! The story of Jesus proves that love is greater than the grave and Jesus is greater than anything you are facing right now.
friend, on this day of waiting, celebrate that we are not waiting in vain! Jesus will breathe again and the hope of the world will RISE!
On this day of waiting, embrace the plan of God and wait with expectancy. Never forget the promise of God from (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)
... but those who (wait upon) hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint!
Hold on to the hope of Jesus. The Resurrection is coming!
You are a miracle!
