A Lent Reflection for Holy Saturday, March 30 by Jessica deLinde Dyckman
Lectionary reading for 03/29/2024: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 • Psalm 22 • Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 • John 18:1-19:42
Selected passage for reflection: Matthew 12:40, Matthew 27:57-66
Read
Matthew 12:40 NIV
40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 27:57-66 NIV
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Reflect
But God is still working, even in the silence, waiting, and wondering.
On the Silent Saturday after the death of Jesus Christ, His followers had to have wondered what they just witnessed. Their beloved Savior was crucified and dead. Wasn’t He supposed to be the Savior of the World? Why didn’t He save Himself? How did He let the crucifixion happen? Many questions were left unanswered that day.
But God was at work through the silence. He was fighting sin and death on their (and our!) behalf that quiet and lonely day. God was there in the silence and He is here today. God was in the middle of carrying out His rescue plan to reconcile mankind back to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The disciples just couldn’t see it, and sometimes we can’t either.
The wondering, waiting, and silence was not in vain that day and it is not in vain today. On that Silent Saturday, God was working out His good and perfect plan then just as He is doing it now.
The Bible tells us that God works everything out for His good (Romans 8:28) which means nothing is wasted or even lost. God mends, heals, forgives, restores, redeems, and uses everything for His good and glory, and He can use everything in your life too. Nothing is ever too much for God, not even the silence of wonder and disbelief.
If you are having a tough time and are in a season of silence, waiting and wondering, and feel as though God is distant, ask God to break through the silence of your heart. Pray for a new revelation and encouragement through His Word. Open your Bible and ask God to give you a fresh understanding of the Easter story. He is the One promised and He is faithful!
Easter Sunday is coming! Jesus’ followers didn’t know it then as we know it now. But resurrection, hope, and life would be what broke the silence and can be what does it now.
“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Even when the silence is deafening, God is still at work! Keep the faith. Hold onto the promises of God. Resurrection Sunday is coming!
Respond
Write down Romans 8:28 as a reminder of God’s love and faithfulness. Jot it on a 3x5 card or sticky note, or create a graphic for your digital device. Put the note or graphic in a location that you can see every day for the rest of the week - whether that’s on your bathroom mirror, next to the coffee pot, or on the background of your mobile device, let it serve as a reminder of God’s gracious love and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.“ Romans 8:28
If your Scripture reminder serves you well, be encouraged to find a different Bible verse each week to make this practice a regular habit. Filling our hearts and minds with God’s Word can give us hope, teach us, and equip us for the work ahead of us (2 Timothy 3:16-17) in this life!
Rest
Dear Lord, we thank you for your faithfulness! We ask that you will encourage us in the seasons of our lives where we are wondering and waiting, and that you would strengthen our hearts when you feel distant or silent. Remind us that you work all things out for your good and glory. Open our eyes to see your love and faithfulness all around us, especially in the waiting. Thank you for your love, faithfulness, mercy, and grace. We love you and thank you, Lord! Amen.
About the Author
Jessica deLinde Dyckman is the founding editor of “The Courageous & Kind Project” a digital media project dedicated to empowering women to live out their God-given purpose. She and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia, with their son and daughter. Jessica is involved in her community with Oak Grove MomCo (Formerly Mothers of Preschoolers), Main Street Christian School, and the Junior League of Atlanta.
Find Jessica on The Courageous & Kind Project podcast on any major streaming platform or follow C&K on social media @TheCourageousandKindProject or www.courageousandkind.org.