Today is Saturday. It is the day between Jesus’s death and resurrection. On this day, we know Jesus was dead. However, we do not know where He spent these hours before the resurrection. Was He in paradise, as he proclaimed to the thief on the cross who believed He was the Son of God?
Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Some believe He was in Abraham’s bosom, where the saints who died before the crucifixion and resurrection resided.
Luke 16:22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.”
We have no concrete evidence of where Jesus was or exactly what He was doing on the day in between. However, we can look at the lives of those who were His friends and family and see how this day in between affected them.
In Luke 23:53-56, they took down the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen. He was taken to the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The women went home to prepare spices and ointments to anoint His body after the Sabbath was over. It must have felt like Saturday would never end. It was a day dedicated to rest. I can only imagine the pain in their hearts as they could not remove the image of Jesus on the cross from their minds.
Luke 23:53-56 “And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, who came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.”
Mary Magdalene was at the cross, was the first to see Him after the resurrection, and He had been freed her from the evil spirits that possessed her. She waited patiently for the Sabbath to be over so she could anoint His body. This had to be a painful, emotionally draining time for her and the other ladies who had ministered to Jesus.
Luke 8:2 “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils.”
Fear was another emotion that plagued His disciples. They had seen many martyred for their faith. John the Baptist and the Apostle James both had been killed for their faith. Now, their Master was gone. They hid out for fear of their lives. They were still in hiding on the day of the resurrection. I can only imagine the discouragement and disappointment they must have felt. Saturday must have been a day that felt like it would never end.
John 20:19 “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
When you suffer a loss, how do you react? Jesus had told them what would happen, but their understanding would not let them see the truth. It was unlike anything they had ever experienced. We are very blessed because we are on this side of the cross. We know the whole story and can rejoice in the promises God has given us. We know He is in control and He will do what is best for us in the end. Do you live each day with the joy of the Lord in your heart? Do you look for the blessed hope of Heaven? Do you sorrow like the world does, or do you understand the big picture of life and embrace it? We do not have to live in fear. We do not have to live feeling defeated, discouraged, or alone. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to comfort us when we are sad, encourage us when we are down, and enlighten us when we are confused. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will pray for us and carry the desires of our hearts to Jesus when we do not know what to pray. Take time on this day in between to celebrate all we have in Christ. Be thankful for what He has done for you.
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
