Holy Saturday

Rest and Wait: a prayer, a poem, and a podcast

A Prayer

A day of silence.

A day of rest.

A day of waiting.

’On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.’

Luke 23:56

This verse is the only one that gives us a glimpse to what this day looked like for Jesus followers. Jesus was not the only one to rest as he completed his work. Just like his Father had demonstrated after creating the universe.

Jesus’ disciples rested as well. It was the sabbath; and they rested according to the commandment. In the midst of their sorrow, they put their trust in the God who created the sabbath day, made it holy, and who provided for our rest by his sacrifice.

‘And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. ‘ 
Genesis 2:2-3

Maybe, their hearts were anxious because of the uncertainty of what was to come, since their Messiah had perished. Could it be that they were reminded of  Jesus’ words, ”I will rise on the third day”? I imagine, that each hour they prayed, “I believe, help my unbelief.”(Mark 9:24)

It could be that you are thick in the silence and grief of Holy Saturday. The uncertainty feels suffocating and you can’t see how all things will work out for good. It could be that what you waited for has perished, and you can't imagine your situation coming back to life. However, more than ever I am convinced that Christ-followers walk out their faith mainly in the uncertain Saturdays of life. In them we wait for Jesus because we know that He is our hope in the uncertainty of life. 

Breath Prayer:

Now we offer up our hearts in prayer:

Inhale:  Jesus, in the silence

Exhale: I wait on you and rest

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A Poem

Rest and Wait

The roar of the day before still in their ears
The deep grief of loss so heavy
Deep sighs escape their souls 
How can we rest? 

Yet the rhythm of rest set by their Lord
Saves them today
They are held by His rhythm of grace
Can this rest sustain? 

Though their bodies are made to rest
Can their minds stop spinning? 
Can they silence the jeers and fears?
“He will quiet us with His love,” they remember 

This silence quiets and overwhelms
They remember his goodness and wait
They will find his song in the silence
A song of salvation is building up

For now they remember his words
Three days, could it really be? 
Through this rest they learn to be
Through this rest they return and are saved

-DFD
inspired by: Luke 23:56, Zephaniah 3:17, Isaiah 30:15, 

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A Podcast and a Playlist

This Podcast from Bridgetown Church from 2020 helped me to pause and think through Holy Saturday. I hope it encourages you and gives you a some food for thought as it did for me.

Music forever the accompaniment of life. I am so blessed by it and utterly grateful for the way we have it so accessible. May this curated list of songs for today and this weekend walk you gently to the dawn of Easter.

Gracefully,

Daisy