Silent Saturdays Series

The Road To Easter

Pt. 6 - Silent Saturdays!

I. Introduction

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ? Søren Kierkegaard.

Isn't that true? It as we reflect that we understand. It is in the mad dash that keeps us from always understanding. We seldom reflect as we journey. It is only after we have arrived. That is true of most vacation trips. The anticipation of arrival is what consumes our thoughts. It isn't until we get back home and have time to reflect that we often find that the journey to the final destination was as much fun or more memorable than the actual destination we strived to reach.

Easter can be that way too. Jesus' journey to Easter is our focus. The destination holds so much meaning and hope for us that if we aren't careful our drive for that day causes us to miss important moments along the way. We are attempting to pause and reflect on the road Jesus took to get to the empty tomb. What happened on the Tuesday or Thursday before He is raised from the dead? Do you know? Does it matter? Let's walk this road together and see as we head to the Disneyland of our faith . . . Easter!

We have reviewed Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry. We talked about Jesus' Monday when He cleansed the temple. On Tuesday Jesus hands out hope. On Thursday Jesus communes with His closest friends. On Friday, He remembers!

So, on your Road to Easter Card we need to record that on Saturday, Jesus doesn't rest! He deserves a rest.

Crucifixion is complete. Friday comes to a close. Saturday or the Jewish Sabbath is about to begin. This would be a good time to take a break. Jesus has earned it.

Text: Matthew 27:57-66, 28:1-6 (MSG)

Late in the afternoon (Friday Evening) a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb. After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.” Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.

After the Sabbath (Sunday Morning), as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move. The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

Wait a minute. There is a noticeable gap in the text. The record is clear about what happens on Friday evening and then what takes place on Sunday morning. But what happened to Saturday?

On Friday, the body of Jesus is placed in the tomb. Spices are placed in the tomb. A stone is secured in front of the tomb. Guards are placed for fear of fraud. Sunday, Jesus rises from the dead and our faith is separated from every other religion! But what about Saturday. A day off? I mean Thursday was grueling. Friday was gruesome. Now nothing is said. Jesus surely needed to rest. To recover. He has earned it. He deserves it. And so Saturday is quiet. The only sound we can hear is the sound of family mourning the loss of a son. The only sounds are whispers of confused followers wondering if they should have remained fishermen. The only sound is religious leaders breathing a sigh of relief that this drama causing, system shaking, Messiah wanna be, crazy man has been silenced permanently. It is quiet. Or is it?