This Saturday each year is probably the most interesting to me. The shocking events of the Passover week were over and the Sabbath began on Friday evening at sundown, somewhere between 5 to 7 pm depending upon whether they had Daylight Savings Time or not. As we study the Law back in the Old Testament, we come to realize that nothing happened on that Saturday. By law, the Jews went into their tents back in the day or into their homes in Jesus' time and did nothing. They were not to leave the walls of their dwellings for 25 hours, oops, maybe days were longer back then.
We wonder and ponder at the silence of the scriptures regarding this Easter Saturday, but all is as it should be for even in death Jesus made sure the law was obeyed and fulfilled. It is interesting that of all the disagreements between the Jews and the Gentile Romans, they did come together to do God's will as Jesus laid down His life for God's world. On a quiet day, the Roman soldiers enjoyed a break as nearly all of the Judean country would be inside doing nothing by law. That particular Saturday must have been very startling in contrast to the crowds and violence of that Passover week. Is it any wonder the guards fell asleep at the tomb? Their guest of honor escaped the grave anyway, what were they guarding? But, we're still on Easter Saturday, all is quiet, peaceful...dead.
What were the apostles thinking in that long Sabbath? We almost want to laugh at them because we know the answer they cannot believe at this point. Jesus is coming back tomorrow morning! We want to shout at them as they lay about mourning. Quietly, gentle people, let them finish that Sabbath. We don't want to spoil the surprise!
Have a great and happy Easter! You will.
Bucky
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