Dark Tunnel of Saturday

After the din and tumult of that terrifying “Bad Friday” came this day of absolute silence; that dark tunnel of Saturday.

Behind some of the shuttered doorways the silence was doubly deep. Here and there, in homes about the city, Jesus’ former followers huddled in stillness, not of reverence, but of the grave – scampering when the light of faith goes out.

For them all was finished. The future had been buried with their leader; they had nothing more to live for.

In my own life’s journey I often had wondered: which is harder, the day of disaster or the day that follows? During an emergency we experience the rush of adrenalin, the numbness of shock. But what is there to sustain us in the empty aftermath, when our joy has died but we must go on living?

The Uniqueness of Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday was the day between Jesus’ death and His resurrection. It is the necessary bridge, the passage between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

For the most part, we live in Holy Saturday. We find ourselves between Cross and final Resurrection. We experience times when we feel forsaken, when we cry out “Why?”

We know the heartbreak of hopelessness, of brokenness, the empty void that seems to stretch forever - until we look forward with hope to the “impossible possibility” – the absolute surprise of grace that is resurrection.

At that time, not even the closest of disciples could tolerate or understand the thought of such a conclusion of the ministry of Jesus. . .

But faith’s perceptiveness came finally to see that his suffering, cross, and tomb were Christ’s glory and his triumph, the very source and form of his rule and judgment of the world. It was in servitude that his majesty consisted, in humiliation that his glory was revealed.

We discover that hope finds its source in darkness and disappointment. We learn that the dark tunnel of Saturday redefines surrender, suffering, humility, and self-giving in a way that reveals divine glory – the sure hope of resurrection.

When we view the three days of the gospel from both sides of the story, we come to realize that all three days – Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday – hang together as one story.

The story that would just finally end in His Coming Back!!!!!!!! The Greatest Hope.

By: Will Ravelob