Holy (Black) Saturday – “The Anticipation of Glory”
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (John 17:24)
Thought
Before God shouted out across the darkness, “Let there be light”, he anticipated this day. Before God brought the first man into being, he committed to the cross to save all humanity. Before the first Adam had breath breathed into him, the son, the second person of triune God committed to be the second Adam, and as Paul says in Romans, “as in Adam, all men die, even so in Christ have all been made alive.” So powerful is this connection that we could rightly say that all of creation came into being precisely for this day, this Holy, Black Saturday.
On this Saturday the world holds its breath. There is nervous anticipation of what the cross meant, what was won and what was lost. Disciples huddle in fear and sorrow. Roman soldiers guard a tomb and religious leaders contemplate what they had done. All creation waited and watched for the return of the one through whom all things were created. God’s eternal divine plan of salvation was about to reach is finale.
And Jesus prays that we are right there, with him, in the middle of it. He prays that we might be where he is, to see his glory, the glory he knew from all eternity. And in a very real way we are. Paul tells us we are united with Christ in his suffering and death, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3-5)
Jesus prays that we will be with him where he is that we might see his glory. Paul tells us that in baptism we are united with Christ in his death that we might be united with him in his resurrection. And so, as baptized followers of Jesus, on this Holy, Black Saturday, we wait, we anticipate the revealing of the glory of God. First in the resurrection of Jesus once and for all, and then in us, as we daily live for him in his resurrection glory.
Be still, watch, wait, glory is about to erupt.
Encouragement for the Day
Is there a burden in your life you have been praying and waiting for God to lift? Be hopeful. Wait and be ready. God is faithful, and just as he raised Jesus from the dead at just the perfect moment, so he too will work in and through you and your troubles so that his glory might shine through you.
Prayer
Lord God heavenly Father, right now the world feels like Black Saturday. So much in our world seems dark and distorted. These are confusing days, much like the day after the crucifixion when the disciples were huddled together in fear and confusion. But we know that Sunday is coming. Lord even today, even in a day of quiet anticipation, let us feel the excitement of your coming glory. We exalt you, we praise you and we wait expectantly, just as they did on this Saturday, for tomorrow’s dawn and the global witness to your resurrection that has come, is now and is yet to come. In the name of our glorious, victorious, risen and returning Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
