Holy Saturday, April 8, 2023
“No TV or Electronics”
Today, the final day of the Lenten Season, we recognize the silence that occurs while Jesus Christ lies in the tomb after his death. Darkness. Silence. Sorrow. All of these and more are represented in the tomb.
We know that Easter will arrive tomorrow. The Good News is really, really, close! But since we’re not quite there, and especially because many of us have worked diligently on our Lenten sacrifices this season, our final Lenten Challenge is to connect with the silence and refrain from television, the internet, or other electronic forms of entertainment.
It’ll be easy to cheat on today’s devotion. Do E-bikes count? What about E-vehicles? Can I read my book on my tablet? What about this devotion? I’m a pastor…can I work on my computer to prepare for my Easter message? Of course, you can do these things. The spirit of today’s Challenge is to reflect on the sounds of silence. Today, look for ways to experience the silence and stillness of that Holy Saturday.
The stillness of the tomb, sealed by an unmovable obstacle, must have created a feeling of great despair for all of Jesus’ followers. The birds probably chirped outside. The waves still rolled in on the seashore. The wind continued to weave its way among the trees. On that Holy Saturday two thousand years ago, it probably seemed like a normal day for those who didn’t know about Jesus. Likewise, when those folks would awaken on Easter morning, they still may not have noticed anything different. But for those that had followed Jesus, everything was different.
We are different! If you’ve taken the time to read this far into Lenten Devotion, it’s likely that, like me, you are well aware of the significance of the closed tomb. We also recognize the power of the tomb when it opens tomorrow morning.
Today is Holy Saturday. Avoid the artificial distractions that too often catch our attention. Read a book. Take a walk. Jump in the water. Enjoy a meal with a friend. Take some time to enjoy and experience God’s special blessings that don’t require a power outlet, phone charger, or whatever it may be.
Today is the day that the LORD has made. It may be Holy Saturday, but we can still rejoice and be glad in it!
“This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:23-24, NLT)
