Easter Eve (Holy Saturday)

Today's Scripture

Joseph (of Arimithea) took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, & 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 & went away. Mary Magdalene & the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. (Matt. 27:59-61)  

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests & the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while He was still alive that deceived said 'After three days I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise His disciples may come & steal the body & tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went & made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone & posting the guard. (Matt. 27:62-66)

Time Out

It's Saturday of Holy Week. The drama of the crucifixion is over. Notice some things from the texts above. Joseph & the women are present when Jesus was buried. They witnessed first hand that Jesus was dead. This gives the lie to those who claim that Jesus didn't actually die on the cross but revived in the tomb & left it. 

Secondly, the religious leaders were familiar with Jesus' prophecy of His resurrection. They lean on Pilate to make extra sure that the grave is sealed & well-guarded. The idea that Jesus' followers would steal His body is laughable. These men had abandoned Jesus in the Garden; one had denied Him with a curse; only John was present at the cross.

We have an advantage over all these people. There is no need for us to doubt Jesus' death. There is no need for us to doubt His resurrection. We look forward to our Easter Sunday worship.

Today's Prayer
As we sit here on this Holy Saturday, we marvel at Your death, dear Lord. Teach us to believe with our whole hearts & minds & souls that You died to save us from our sins; that You rose triumphant & alive, conquering sin, death, & Satan. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE:  I'm publishing devotions during Holy Week instead of my usual blog topics. My prayer is that these devotions would glorify God & edify those who read them.