Sharing Love, Seeking Justice: Holy Saturday

April 19, 2025

Welcome to our 2025 series of Holy Week devotionals, a gift from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, eight days of devotions leading to the Feast of the Resurrection.

Holy Saturday

A Holy Pause

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who also was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise, his disciples may go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.”So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. _{Matthew 27:57-66, NRSVue}

Like last year, I felt led to reflect on the day before Easter, Holy Saturday. This reflection is for the writer and the reader. For me, I get to reflect and refine my theology and psychology of the Holy Pause. For you, I again offer a strategy for addressing the stress and strains of life.

I recall the first time I mentioned the Holy Pause of Holy Saturday to a dear friend. He replied, “That is Catholic, and it is not in the Bible.” But there are two Holy Saturday texts in Scripture: Matthew 27: 57-66 and Luke 23:56.

In Matthew 27:57-66 we are privy to a powerful portrait of the first Holy Saturday. Jesus is entombed. Jesus is between life to death. The disciples must navigate loss and gain. The church gets a front row seat to the drama of defeat turned victory. Matthew 27:57-66 presents a journey through the valley of the shadow of death. A journey that we now know leads to the mountain top.

What do we do before we reach the mountain top? What do we do on those days and times when life deals us a losing hand? What do we do when our dreams have been crushed by the leaders within our faith tradition? What do we do when our hopes have been stated as inadequate and sterile by a kangaroo court? What do we do when our future promise is murdered by the empire? What do we do when we are forced to bury our dreamers, our hopes, and our future promises?

We take a Holy Pause on these Holy Saturdays. We revisit Holy Saturday!

Last year I suggested that you—

humble and empty yourself,
look for the Gracious Givers,
wrestle with the “matters” of inquisitive guards, and
choose with righteousness the righteous path.

This year I invite you to—

Accept that Jesus’ death was a part of God’s plan, which was foretold by Jesus. To accept the death of Jesus Christ as a part of God’s plan, reenforces, reiterates, and reminds the believer that human weakness and errors are a part of life. God does not always remove us from the sin, sickness, evil and suffering but walks with us through it.
Practice silence and experience God’s silence. Labor to internalize the knowledge that God’s silence is not inactivity and inaction. Meditate on the sting of denial, persecution, and death. Sit with the sadness of loss. Do this while knowing your silent God is active and will act.
Reflect and anticipate the insecurity of Holy Saturday. Who were your Pilates? Who was your High Priest? Who were your denying disciples? Who were your mothers and sisters who never left your side? Who were the crowds that shouted for another to be hired or fired in your place? Use the answer to these question as fuel to power you across the deadly thresholds of life.
Descend into the Hades of your community and proclaim liberty to those captives there (1 Peter 3:19). Make this a time where something significant happens “underground”—incognito, undeserved, and unexpected. Work to set the captive free.

– Micah L. McCreary
John Henry Livingston Professor of Theology
President of the Seminary

Prayer:
Gracious God, on this solemn day,
we remember the sacrifice of the Incarnate One.
We stand in awe of Jesus’ willingness to suffer for the cosmos.
Help us to understand the depth of Your love,
revealed through all events surrounding the cross.
May we carry the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice in our hearts,
living lives of gratitude and grace.
Through Jesus the Christ, our Redeemer, we pray.
Amen.