Holy Saturday

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” (Isaiah 53:5-8)

The above description of the lamb brought to the slaughter, of Jesus and what He did for us on the cross was written some 750-800 years before they happened. “With his stripes we are healed” is one of the most well-known phrases used in describing the price Jesus paid for us at the cross.

Jesus said, “It is finished!” He then bowed His head and gave up the ghost. There was nothing left to pay. Our sins had been atoned for.

We are celebrating this Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday by describing each day of that week as it is depicting in the Bible. Today is Holy Saturday, the seventh day of Holy Week. This is the day after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and before His resurrection when Jesus was placed in the sepulchre. Many refer to today as the day Jesus “rested”.

Keep in mind, that we can’t be too dogmatic about actual days of specific events in the Bible. The Jews and Romans had different standards for time/date keeping and the Bible isn’t always in exact chronological order.

The Sepulchre

“And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” (Luke 23:50-56. Also see: Matthew 27:59-60, Mark 15:46, and John 19:39-42)

Security

There were great concerns by the Jewish leaders that His disciples would steal the body and say Jesus had risen. So, Pilate put security measures in place.

“The chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” (Matthew 27:63-66)

Two Types Of Sepulchres

There are two different Greek words that are transliterated as “Sepulchre”. One is “taphos” which means a tomb. The other is “mnēmeion” which means a memorial.

For example, when it is said, “So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” (Matthew 27:66). Here, the Bible is referring to a tomb.

When the Bible says, “And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” (Matthew 28:8). This is a reference to a memorial.

Tomorrow we finish with the resurrection of Christ. Keep in mind the significance it has on us all. Jesus, “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:24b-25)

“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” (1 Corinthians 15:16-18)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

Bill Hitchcock