WATCHWORD:
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and Nicodemus, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, took away his body. They took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which… they laid Jesus. John 19:38-42
Meditation:
Holy Saturday
Can you imagine what it was like on this Saturday, the day after Jesus’ crucifixion, among the vast followers of Jesus? All who had seen him do miracles, marvelous things, and healings. They had counted on Him to change their lives. Many of whom had stood there on Calvary and watched in shock as they murdered our Savior. They couldn’t help but see John and the two women with him, one of whom was Jesus’ mother, there, at the foot of the cross. Can you imagine that these people simply did not know what to do, or where to go, or if they had any future at all? A grief so deep that they were lost.
They shuffled down the hill, away from Calvary, through Damascus Gate, past Herod’s Palace, and along a dusty side street, to the very edge of Jerusalem. They approached the nondescript house and file into a large gathering room, already filled with weeping, sadness and loss. The sounds of moaning, and occasional cries of people lost, not knowing where to turn, or what to do, just completely forsaken, as if their lives had come to the very end and they could not see the road beyond.
“He’s dead! We thought He would live forever. He was to be our Savior, our new King who would lead us to freedom. Just last week we saw Him bring Lazarus back to life…why could He not save himself? We don’t know what to do! We don’t know where to go! We don’t know what to believe. He made so many promises, and…now He is gone! Dead on that cross.” Andrew was speaking.
“I couldn’t be there. I couldn’t watch. He was my friend, my Lord and now He is gone! I stayed with my brother, Peter. He is so upset. He thinks he’s the reason that our Jesus was crucified. Look at him sitting on the floor, over there, lost. He and James, and, I think, Philip, are planning to go back to Capernaum. I should go with them. Staying here is not safe.
“John was there on Calvary, with Mary, Jesus’ mother, and our friend, Mary who lives near us in Galilee. John told us all that had happened, Jesus’ death and where they buried our Savior. We didn’t want to hear it, but we had to know. He said that two Pharisees came and took Jesus’ body down from the cross and buried Him in a tomb. John and the two women followed and watched. I don’t think I could have done that.
“We came here to this house, early Friday, after they took Jesus to Herod. We didn’t know what to do or where to go. It was only when Mary and John arrived and told us the whole story that we knew. Then more of His followers came to us, crying and lost, just as we were.
“We were surprised. We tried to tell Mary how very sorry we were, but she just smiled, and comforted us, and told us we should remember and find peace. What did she mean? Remember what? How can we find peace? Yet, there she was, the mother of our Savior, smiling! How could she do that? How could she remain so calm? She saw her son killed, and yet…”
There was Mary, moving around the room, smiling, hugging others, murmuring words of encouragement. She came to Peter, knelt and sat beside him. Gently she lifted his face and, smiling into his eyes, said something, reminding him of what Jesus had said. But Peter’s grief and guilt was too overwhelming, and he just sobbed.
What was going through Mary’s mind? She would remember the visitation of the Angel thirty-some years before. She might recall those times raising this small boy of God, into manhood, and into the Lord and Savior He was. Did she think about the time when Jesus was twelve and stayed at the Temple, causing such a fervor for she and Joseph? Did she remember that she had confidently known who He was there in Cana at the wedding feast, and urged Him to give us the first sign that He was the Messiah?
Yes, of course, she remembered all of that, and even now, with His blood on her sleeve from the cross, that she knew God was in this and that we must have faith. She may have thought that soon He would be restored, and they would see. They would see what we, on this side of the Resurrection, know. Mary, the mother of Jesus, believed the promise of God. Sunday is coming. Rejoice! Amen.
Baptism – A Rededication:
Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross. His burial in the tomb and his resurrection from the dead, into a brand new life: the symbol of our new life as a Christian.
Today we will witness my grandson’s rededication baptism into his new life in Christ. As we watch and participate, we will be reminded of our rededication, as well. What a privilege!
Bulletin Board:
It looks like yesterday’s Good Friday Watchword did not go out, due perhaps to some glitch on the Internet. You can see it here.
Restored by Christ:
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favorably on your whole Church, which is a wonderful and sacred mystery. In your eternal foreknowledge, you peacefully do your saving work for humanity. Let the whole world know that things that were cast down are being raised up, and things that had grown old are being made new, and all things are being restored by him in whom they have their beginning; Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Saturday, from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright
