Yesterday was Good Friday during which we remembered the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday through which we celebrate his resurrection from the dead. Today, Saturday, is the day in-between. There are no special services. There’s very little in terms of any kind of observance. For some it’s a day of silence and contemplation. In fact, in the Catholic tradition, the altar is left bare, candles are extinguished, and Mass is not celebrated.
For some, this day in-between is a day to prepare our churches and homes for our Easter celebrations. The final shopping is done, breads are baked, meal prep is begun, the house is cleaned. If there are small children in the home, Easter baskets are being put together and the eggs colored. All in all, on this Holy Saturday we are looking towards Easter Sunday morning with the hope of a day of joy and wonderful celebrations.
But think if you will, what it was like for those first disciples on this day in-between. They had experienced Jesus’ suffering and death firsthand. For them, it was hardly a good or holy Friday. They didn’t know that Resurrection Sunday was coming. Thus for them, Saturday was not the day in-between, but a day of grief and mourning. I doubt they had even begun to contemplate what their next move would be—except to stay in hiding lest the leaders come after them as well.
The truth was, however, that the Saturday after Jesus’ death and before his resurrection was merely the day in-between. The story had not come to an end. All that they had believed in and hoped for, all the years they had spent following Jesus, was not in vain. For on Sunday, word began to spread that the tomb was empty. That night, as they remained huddled together, we read: “Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!” (John 20:19-20 – NLT)
At that moment, they realized that the silence and darkness of Saturday was much more temporary than they had realized. Even in the silence and the darkness of that day, God was working out his plan of salvation for mankind. When it felt like the end had come, there was in fact more to come. Saturday had merely been the day in-between!
On this day between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, take a few moments to contemplate the fact that, even for us, when it feels like the story is over—when the silence is deafening and the darkness is deep—God is yet at work. Jesus is alive! And that means there is always more to come. In fact, today just might be your day in-between!
Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday! Christ is Risen!
- Pastor Tim Harris
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