April 19, 2014 - Holy Saturday, “The Sabbath God Did Not Rest” by Rev. Jack Austin

 “After this, Joseph, who was from the town of Arimathea, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus’ body.  (Joseph was a follower of Jesus, but in secret, because he was afraid of the Jewish authorities.)  Pilate told him he could have the body, so Joseph took it away. There was a garden in the place where Jesus was put to death, and in it there was a new tomb where no one had ever been buried.  Since it was the day before the Sabbath, and because the tomb was close by, they placed Jesus’ body there.”  (John 19:38, 40-42)

According to the Gospel of John, Joseph and Nicodemus had less than 3 hours between Jesus’ death and the beginning of the High Holy Day: Sabbath-Passover began at sundown.  It was abhorrent to all Jews for any son of Abraham to hang on a Roman cross and thus defile the High Holy Day.  So these two secret disciples hurriedly put Jesus’ body in a borrowed tomb, and went to reflect on the ancient Passover question: “Why is tonight different from other nights?” as well as to “Remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy.”

Time and again, when Jesus healed on Sabbath, the Jewish leaders condemned him as a “sinner.”  When his disciples rubbed heads of grain between their hands to eat the wheat kernels, the devout Jews were horrified that they were breaking GOD’S plan for humankind.  To do any work on Sabbath was “sin,” because GOD “rested” on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath following Jesus’ death, neither GOD nor Christ rested!  In some creedal statements, Christ descended to Hell to bring release to those captive to sin.  In the experience of Christians, that sacred Sabbath, GOD removed the burden of sin; GOD healed the “sin sick soul;” GOD overcame the power of death itself and Christ was raised! 

This Sabbath of preparation let us who are raised with Christ seek to fulfill GOD’S plan as Jesus revealed it to Nicodemus:  “GOD did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior.”  (John 3:17)  Let us do our best work in “the task of making others friends of GOD.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)

Prayer:

Loving GOD, by the power of love, you raised Christ Jesus to Your side, and called us to live your Love as we go forth in Christ’s name.  Amen.