Christian Reflection and Prayer

Holy Saturday

"So they (Joseph and Nicodemus) took the body of
Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices,
as is the burial custom of the Jews" (John 19:40).
Read John 19:31-42.

Good Friday is drawing to its close. With the
Passover quickly approaching, Pilate orders the legs
of the crucified men to be broken so they will die
quickly. The legs of the two criminals hanging at
Jesus' side are broken. But since Jesus is already
dead His side is pierced with a spear instead and
out flows blood and water-proof that the King of the
Jews is truly dead.

That's when a secret disciple of Jesus steps forward.
Joseph of Arimathea is a prominent member of the
Jewish high court who did not agree with their
decision to put Jesus to death. He boldly steps out
of the darkness and asks Pilate for permission to
bury Jesus' body. Pilate grants it.

Another secret disciple joins him. The Pharisee
Nicodemus who had snuck through the darkness of
night to talk to Jesus now steps into the light and
helps Joseph lay our Lord's body to rest in Joseph's
new tomb.

But it is only a rest. Death has no hold over Jesus'
body. It cannot even touch His body with the stain of
decay. On the third day He will rise to life and live
forever.

One day you and I will be laid in our own graves. But
for all of us who trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior,
our future will be the same as His. Our bodies will
rest in the grave until He returns; then Jesus will
 raise us to share paradise with Him forever.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for hallowing our graves through
Your rest in the grave. Fill us with joy and confidence-
even in the face of death-so that we will see You with
our own eyes when You come to wake our bodies from
death. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

Verse

And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit
on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise
again.  Mark 10:34 NKJV Study Bible

Voice

The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a
helpless, unresisting man was nailed to it; yet it
was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and
will ever triumph over it.
Augustus William Hare

Prayer

While we were still your enemies, Lord Jesus Christ,
you suffered and died for us, winning the victory over
death for our sakes. Give us grace to lift you up as
we follow the way of your cross so that all people
may be drawn unto you. Amen.
Common Prayer

Lenten Devotion

"So he delivered Him over to them to be crucified. So
they took Jesus, and He went out, bearing His own
cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which
in Aramaic is called Golgotha" (John 19:16-17).

Read John 19:16-30.

Jesus shows remarkable strength in His first three
hours on the cross. Even while He is suffering for our
sins, His focus is not on Himself, but on the people
around Him. Seeing His enemies He pleads, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do"
(Luke 23:34a). He promises the repentant criminal at
His side, "Today You will be with Me in paradise"
(Luke 23:43b). He provides a disciple to care for His
mother after He is gone "Woman, behold, your son!"
and to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"
(John 19:26b, 27b).

Then at noon comes the darkness. Luke tells us the
sun stopped shining. Jesus hangs alone in the
darkness silently suffering God's wrath at the sins of
the world. Finally, after three hours He cries out in
agony, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
(Matthew 27:46b).

By three in the afternoon, it is over. God the Father has
unleashed His full wrath-not a single one of our sins
has gone unpunished. John tells us, "Jesus, knowing
that all was now finished, said, (to fulfill the Scripture)
'I thirst'" (John 19:28). And "When Jesus had received
the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished,' and He bowed His
head and gave up His spirit" (John 19:30). There is
nothing left for us to pay. We are free, and the doors of
heaven are open wide to us through Jesus' life, death
and resurrection.

Jesus offers His last confident prayer: "Father, into Your
hands I commit My spirit" (Luke 23:46b).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, on the cross You suffered the wrath of God
for all of our sins, and paid the price in full. Receive our
thanks and gratitude for Your amazing sacrifice and the
life that is ours because of Your death. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer