Today is the anniversary of Holy Saturday, Easter Eve or Black Saturday. It is the name given to the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is the seventh day of Holy Week. When Jesus died, He called out, “It is finished!” He had completed His ultimate task. Now what?
Where was Jesus on this day so long ago? My heart breaks to write this. Jesus was away from God and descended into hell. Isn’t that what the Apostles Creed says? All of what was done was for us. The price was paid for us so that we would not owe it. Our debt was paid.
This day is traditionally a time of reflection and waiting like Lent. Jesus’ followers spent this day waiting after his crucifixion on Good Friday. He had said He would rise from the dead so they would be watching for Him. Most likely they would be recalling every word He said to them. I would. Wouldn’t you go over every detail?
Roman governor Pontius Pilate instructed guards to be posted at the tomb to prevent Jesus’ followers from removing the body to claim that He had risen from the dead. Pilate sealed the tomb, secured it, and posted guards. No one was getting in. Jesus’ body would not be taken.
Easter or Resurrection Sunday is tomorrow. I know the ending of the heart-wrenching account that began with Jesus being beaten and crucified. It starts with violence and tears of shock and sadness, but it turns into a joyous celebration of triumph over sin and death with tears of joy.
Have you been baptized? When we are/were baptized, we died with Christ (going down under water) and arose with Him (rising up again out of water) victorious!
Scripture tells us this in Romans 6:3-11 King James Version (KJV):
”Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
As we await Resurrection Sunday, take a moment to reflect. Just as we were baptized and died with Jesus, we died to sin. We should banish the hold sin has over us, and sin no more. As He died for us, let us live for Him. Accept His free gift of salvation given to all who simply acknowledge it. (See below for the prayer*)
*To accept Jesus as your Savior now, simply pray the Sinner’s prayer below:
”Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You are God’s Son, who died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I choose to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen”
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 