Holy Saturday is the last day of Holy Week and ends the season of Lent. It commemorates the day that Jesus Christ‘s body lay in the tomb. After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a nearby tomb, and His body remained there the entirety of Holy Saturday.
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. (Luke 23:50-56)
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. (Matt 27:62-66)
On Holy Saturday believers ‘wait at the tomb of Christ’ observing a day of prayer and somber reflection as we contemplate the world of darkness that would exist without the hope of Christ’s resurrection.
Holy Saturday is also know as the Vigil of Easter. New candles used for the Easter vigil services represent the light of Jesus Christ breaking through the darkness.
As we keep watch today, we trust in your unfailing love Lord, and our hearts rejoice in your salvation. (Psalm 13:5)
