I have not preached an Easter Saturday sermon that I can recall. Of course, there have been many Good Friday and Easter Sunday messages, but the full day in between is not a common feature of Easter messages in the Christian Church more generally.
Yet this year, unlike any other year of my pastoral ministry, it seemed entirely fitting to stop for a short time to consider this day in the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. The verses below from Luke’s Gospel are taken from His account of Good Friday, immediately preceding Easter Saturday. Luke wrote:
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’ 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. (Luke 23:44-49)
In the immediate context of this account of the hours prior to Jesus laying down His life, there is a supernatural element to this darkness at a time in the calendar in April AD33. The Jewish Passover Festival took place each year at the time of the full moon. It should have been a series of day of greater light in Jerusalem. Yet in the middle of the day for three hours darkness appeared to reign. It was as if God the Father was veiling the agonies of His beloved Son from the gaze of onlookers outside the city walls of Jerusalem, prior to His death. What do we learn from this passage?
1. The darkness was experienced by everyone and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining (Luke 23:44-45a). Virtuous Jews and Jews behaving badly alike experienced it. God-fearing non-Jews and those of other faiths and none experienced it in that setting in exactly the same way.
We too as a human race today face difficulties in countries across the world in the current covid-19 crisis. The virus does not discriminate between those contributing significantly to their communities and those who offer nothing. Then and now we face the circumstances before us together whether we like it or not. What is so important is to recognise we go through the ups and downs of life as part of the common human experience. We have limited control over our health or economic circumstances. We don’t know how many years of life are ours to enjoy. We need to embrace each day gifted to us as a precious gift from God and not assume how many more might be ours to enjoy in the future.
2. The blessing that came in the darkness And the curtain of the temple was torn in two (Luke 23:45b) It was not in the happy hours spent by the first disciples with Jesus around the shore of Lake Galilee or on a walk on the hills of Israel that this blessing took place. It was in the time of darkness that one of most wonderful supernatural events of that first Easter took place. This huge curtain was considerably thicker and tougher than any curtains we might possess in our homes. What is more in Mark’s account there is an additional detail: The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom(Mark 15:38).
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross had opened up the way directly into God’s presence with our prayers that had previously been restricted to Jewish priests on behalf of their nation. Yet this amazing event took place at a time of great trial. The book of Hebrews in the New Testament was written to Italian Christians going through extremely difficult times. What significance to them was this extraordinary event in the darkness at Jerusalem?
Hebrews 10:19-22a declares: Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.
What was the message for them? Darkness was not the last word. They would once again step in the light! Some of us reading this devotional message will be going through dark times of sorrow, pain and other suffering – physically, mentally or emotionally. God does not leave us in our times of darkness. He is there with us each step of the way. Take time to reflect today on what blessing might come for you through this time of trial? Do not despair in the midst of your difficulties- God can pick you up and help you stand once more for Him. Bring your cries to the One who will hear and answer your prayers.
Our hymn for meditation, I understand was only written very recently in this covid-19 crisis, but I trust it may be helpful as we reflect on the significance of the ‘Easter Saturdays’ in our lives today.
This Easter celebration is not like one’s we’ve known.
We pray in isolation, we sing the hymns alone,
We’re distant from our neighbours – from worship leaders too.
No flowers grace the chancel to set a festive mood.
No gathered choirs are singing, no banners lead the way.
O God of love and promise, where’s joy this Easter day?
With sanctuaries empty, may homes become the place
We ponder resurrection and celebrate your grace.
Our joy won’t come from worship that’s in a crowded room
But from the news of women who saw the empty tomb.
Our joy comes from disciples who ran with haste to see-
Who heard that Christ is risen, and the, by grace, believed.
In all their grief and suffering, may we remember well;
Christ suffered crucifixion and faced the powers of hell.
Each Easter bears the promise; Christ rose that glorious day!
Now nothing in creation can keep your love away.
We thank you that on Easter, your church is blessed to be
a scattered faithful body that’s doing ministry.
In homes and in the places of help and healing too,
We live the Easter message by gladly serving you.
AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D (“The Church’s One Foundation”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyjNfP9yTs0 The tune Aurelia alone
Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864 (“The Church’s One Foundation”)
Text: Copyright © 2020 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Text and music (PDF file, 52K)
Brian Talbot