Today is Holy Saturday. It is the Jewish Sabbath.
The Gospel of St. John 19:38-42
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 took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-ve pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucied there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Reflection
It appears that there is little going on Holy Saturday. But appearances can be very deceiving. After all, it seemed that the devil won on Good Friday. On Holy Saturday the disciples mourn, but all the rest of the world waits expectantly for Christ to burst forth from the tomb. And much is going on “under the earth.”
While the world waits Jesus is not waiting, but - rather he is descending to the dead (or to “hell” in the old BCP’s language.) The place of the dead is much more akin to Sheol than Hell. The word’s usage has changed over the centuries which is why the Apostles Creed now says, “he descended to the dead.”
Jesus goes to those spirits imprisoned be death and Satan and presents the Gospel. Both the Holy Saturday morning service and the First Lesson for Evening Prayer is 1 Peter 4:1-8.
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
The full readings for the day are:
Morning Prayer: Psalm 88 Lamentations 3:37-58, Hebrews 4,
Holy Saturday Service: Job 14:1-17, Psalm 130, John 19:38-42 (above)
Evening Prayer: Psalm 91, 1 Peter 4:1-8, Luke 23:50-56
(There are also alternate readings for The Holy Saturday Service)
Tonight we will gather for the Easter Vigil. A service enacting what Jesus is doing between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Until there all seems silent but we read, pray and await expectantly the return of the risen Lord.
The Easter Vigil Holy Fire and Paschal Candle
I invite you to join us tonight at the Easter Vigil Service at 8:30PM. We will hear the story of God’s creation and how the prophet Jonah is a sign for Christ. Death will not hold Him. Today Jesus is crashing the bars of sin and death and taking back his own.