Walking the Path of Passion WeekSample

Holy Saturday

Joseph bought a linen cloth and took the body down from the cross. He had it wrapped in the cloth, and he put it in a tomb that had been cut into solid rock. Then he rolled a big stone against the entrance to the tomb. (Mark 15:46 CEV)

As they rolled the stone in front of the tomb, they must have thought this was the end. The voice of the prophet who had spoken so clearly into their lives was now silent. Hope was replaced by despair. Jesus had died and was being buried, just like anyone else. Imagine living through that day. Imagine having your hopes dashed. Imagine not being able to hear the voice of God. For some of us, it is not too difficult to imagine. We have experienced days when God seems distant and silent.

But in the midst of this sorrow, they continue to show honor and respect for the prophet who had died. Mark 15:47 says, “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph, were watching and saw where the body was placed” (CEV). Why were they watching? Because after the Sabbath, they were going to continue the burial tradition. They patiently continued to honor and respect the prophet, and found consolation in the rituals that had shaped their religious practice for a lifetime, even in the face of death and despair.

How do we respond in those times of sorrow and silence? How can we continue to show honor and respect for the savior who died and was buried for us? Of course, that’s not the end of the story, but that’s where we are on Holy Saturday of Passion Week: sharing in the chaos and confusion of those first disciples who found no logical reason for hope.

Prayer: Jesus, in your great love for us, you have gone before us even in death, to show us the way to live, the way to die, and the way to eternal life. Help us to trust you more, even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Thank you that you are with us, sharing in our humanity so that we may share in your divinity. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Patrick Eby (Wesley Seminary Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program)