Silent Saturday

   Imagine the agony felt by those who woke on that dark and dull Saturday after the Crucifixion. I cannot even begin to comprehend the heartache of feeling so hopeless. Life without the joy of Jesus? Well that really isn't even life at all. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6)

   Empty and abandoned. This Saturday must've honestly been the worst, most lonesome day of all time. What we are certain of today is that Jesus is indeed fully alive and glorified, however, the people in Jesus's day did not know the glorious reality of our victorious King.

   We all are aware that without Good Friday there would be no Resurrection Sunday, and it's clear now that without the Sorrowful Silent Saturday there would not be a Salvation Sunday. By His stripes we are healed. By the agonising absence His divine Presence is all the more sweet.

   Sometimes it takes wounding to experience the wholeness of holy healing, silence to hear God's gentle whispers, and loss to realise that all we need is found in Christ. He is Healer, Comforter, and Provider.

Jehovah-Rophe

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

The Lord HEALS

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Jehovah-Shalom

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you... Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." (Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 26:12)

The Lord our Peace

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Jehovah-Jireh

"And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, 'In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.'" (Genesis 22:14)

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

The Lord will Provide

   Can you feel the warmth of His embrace? He is flooding our souls daily with mercy, peace, and grace. The continual Presence of the Holy Spirit is upon us - those who have received Jesus as Lord. But on that Saturday filled with slicing silence of separation and solitude? Emptiness, loneliness, and pain.

   The horrendous pain of separation between Jesus, man, and God it's simply too much to even comprehend. Our sins are what separated, our lawlessness is what created loneliness, and the utter hatred of man is what pierced His side. And from the view of Saturday, this seemed to be our doomed destiny. Sin. Sin inherently invading each heart. The dreaded death appeared to be the victor. That is, to the limited eyes of humanity.

   What went on in the spiritual realm is still a mystery, but one thing is certain: Jesus conquered those chains of chastisement toward our filth, ours, for Jesus was pure. The Lamb who was slain upon that cross never sinned, not even once.

   Spotless atonement sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Lord who saves has prevailed! These words rang throughout the hallways of hell that silent Saturday. The day that seemed to be so infested with isolation and quietness was far from low key in the spiritual realm, that's for sure.

   "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:13-15)

   The silence was God dealing with legal matters. God accepted Jesus's perfect sacrifice, therefore completely canceling our debt! The pressing charges necessary for our mistakes and awful deeds were all placed on Jesus. Jesus nailed those charges to the cross, so now we are freed from the punishment! All the legal matters have been dealt with and the outcome is this: we are not guilty! Christ Jesus took the guilt, shame, and punishment for us!

   While it was silent for us, Jesus and all angelic beings were parading through the streets of satan's town laughing and making a mockery of him and his evil demons. They were declaring it out loud, "The Lamb of God has defeated the grave! Shame is shattered, sin has been justly punished, and the children of God will live to proclaim their Saviour's grace! Rescued, delivered, and resurrected!"

Rescued, delivered, and set free. Our souls have been resurrected into the life of Jesus Christ. No longer are we bound by chains. No longer are we slaves to sin. No longer can death defeat, for death itself has been defeated. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Worthy of honour and praise, glory and adoration. Sing to your Saviour all you freed souls, sing!

   -The Introverted Evangelist