On this Holy Saturday, I am taking some time to sit in the stillness and envision resting in the silent tomb with Jesus. As I savor the silence and communion with Him, my mind ponders not only what happened in Christ’s tomb on that first Holy Saturday but also what my own seasons of tomb-like darkness and solitude have been like. This post is not so much an article as a sharing of my musings. May your Holy Saturday be blessed with stillness, silence, and communion with our Divine Bridegroom.
The tomb is the space where death and life meet; where what was once violated, ruptured, desecrated, and believed to be lifeless, cold, and defeated is - through His resurrection power - raised to new life. The tomb that held the lifeless Body of Life Itself would be transformed by Him Who makes all things new.
New life in Christ happens IN the tomb. Just as the new life of the butterfly happens in the tomb of the chrysalis.
We do not need to fear death or the tomb-like seasons in our lives, if we invite Christ to be with us; if we unite ourselves to His death and moments in the tomb. We all have times of transition in our lives when it seems we have no choice but to be still and silent, stuck in waiting and uncertainty. We experience grief and loneliness as we must leave behind the old and as we wait to see what is to come, we experience fear and powerlessness. In our tombs, we do not give in to fear of the dark and unknown but rather claim Christ’s Resurrection power and wait… wait with patient anticipation for the Dawn - the Dawn of the Sun of Justice - the Dawn of Hope and Mercy.
Wait.. for He will come... the Sun always rises.
Just as He did on Easter Sunday morning, Christ will indeed come bursting forth into the garden of our hearts, like a bridegroom from His bridal chamber. And the Risen Bridegroom will make all things new!
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:5)
My Lord, today I offer my heart as an empty tomb for Your lifeless tortured Body. I desire to share the sleep of Love with You on this Holy Saturday and when the sun rises again tomorrow, I pray you will have made a bridal chamber of my heart too! Amen.
May your Easter be blessed with the peace and joy of Christ the Risen Bridegroom!