I often think of the day between the cross and the empty tomb as “Silent Saturday,” a day of great sorrow.
Luke reports in Chapter 23 about the trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. Towards the end of that chapter is a verse that defines the atmosphere following the death of Jesus. “And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow [beating their breasts].” [Luke 23:48 NLT]
Hope was gone, replaced with a stunned bleakness. The anticipation of great victory gave way to misery and defeat. The only sound to be heard was weeping and anguish.
They could not even imagine what was happening on the other side of the veil. They could not hear Satan’s cries as he was vanquished, the keys of death and the grave ripped from his hands. They could not hear the cries of the imprisoned rejoicing in freedom as the gates of hell and the grave were being opened. They could not hear the angels’ song of victory as they saw God’s Son awakening.
They could not know – yet – that “Death is swallowed up in victory.” That it has lost its sting forevermore!
But they would soon. Sunday’s Coming.
