Silent Saturday *

I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Revelation 1:18 NLT

Not much is written about what Jesus did during the time between the crucifixion and His resurrection. There is plenty of conjecture and even some men's point of view being taught as though it were Scripture, but it's not my job to point fingers or argue with points of view. It is my job to search the Scriptures and point a lost and dying world to our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The day before, Christ suffered unbearable pain and suffering to take away our sins. He paid the highest price to redeem our sin-sick souls unto salvation. When they laid Him in the tomb and rolled the stone to seal it, He was dead to the world (so to speak). Now, I realize I may mess with your theology on this, but whether or not He went to Hell or Hades, whether or not He fought satan for the keys or actually always held the keys is not my primary focus. According to John 19:30, while He was still on the cross, Jesus proclaimed, "It is finished."

Colossians 2:13-15 NLT declares, You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Here's the only thing I know for certain about that Saturday. Jesus knew going into the weekend what the Father had told Him. He knew it was going to be unbearable, but knowing certainly did NOT make it any easier. His flesh did not want to go through it. But He went in fully trusting the Father's Word. He went in knowing He would rise again. He knew He would be victorious. He was not surprised by what was coming the day after...

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You that Your Word assures us in Romans 8:11, The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us. And just as You raised Christ Jesus from the dead, You will give life to our mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within us. Your Spirit living in us. Help us to come to the knowing that we will rise again, that we will be victorious in and through You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen