After the crucifixion, before the resurrection, we have a day of silence from the tomb. We may conjecture about whether Christ was busy working on our behalf against Satan, whether He was resting, or whether He was visiting His Father.
Saturday is that in-between time when we are caught in doubt and silence.
As we think of the Disciples, they were caught in this same silence and doubt. They are stunned at what has just happened. That Jesus has actually died. That all their hopes and dreams have been destroyed. They have left their homes and families to follow this person they thought might actually be the expected Messiah. And here they sit in the corner of the upper room huddled together, probably weeping. Could they have been wrong? Could they have been deceived?
They are also bewildered by their own behavior. They have abandoned their leader. They ran away in fear and in cowardice. They are a mess. Only John and Mary have remained near Jesus.
Doubt and uncertainty are something "we seasoned" Christians would like to claim we never feel. But, it's a lie.
This is a day, when the best of us doubted. Holy Saturday is an in-between day. A day to reassess why we believe as we await the resurrection.
What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 gives us an answer...
New International Version: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
New Living Translation: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
English Standard Version: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
King James Bible: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Ahhhhh. But Sunday's coming....
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