Middle Saturday

As is now my Good Friday practice, I watched The Passion of the Christ last night. Reading subtitles adds so much to the experience. In hearing the original language, my mind captures the substance of what's being said as I'm witnessing the story of Jesus' last days unfold. If it were in English I doubt the cinematic experience would be the same.

When the story moved from present to past and tied together the words he taught, predicted and cautioned I was captivated by his eyes. They stayed the same - filled with warmth, concern and knowledge of his future. Yet at the same time he knew of our future, too. The sleeping of his friends whom he'd asked to stay vigilant in prayer, the blood he sweat in the garden the night he was kissed by Judas, and the healing of a Roman soldier's ear whom Peter had cut off to prevent Jesus' capture. All of this recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

No matter what version of the Bible you read the account of Jesus' death including the trickery and violence leading up to it cannot be shadowed. For it is real. He experienced a punishment few people had ever heard of. Scourged and crucified for innocence? Nowadays it's unfortunately common to hear of Christians being tortured and murdered for their Christian beliefs but in his time there was no such thing. He hadn't yet come. But now he had and now he was a threat that must be stopped.

We read Jesus predicted destroying the temple then raising it in three days. There's Good Friday, Easter Sunday and then there's today. I call it Middle Saturday. As a follower of Jesus for a long time I've heard several teachings about this day. Is Saturday the day he visited Satan and reminded him of his future or was that Friday night before he returned to Heaven? Is it the day Jesus rested in glory with his Father? Could there be millions and millions of angels singing and celebrating the conquering of sin for all of mankind? I don't know what Saturday was in Heaven. But this is what I'd like to think it was and there is no biblical basis for it whatsoever:

It was the day after Father and Son were reunited. A day when a Father is beaming with pride for his Son because he stuck it out no matter how hard it became. A day when the Son could rest in his heavenly body where there were no more tears and no more pain. You see...Jesus knows Sunday's coming. He's coming back for a short time to see his friends, to remind us of our future with him and to give us instruction to keep our faith no matter how hard the road becomes. To let us touch Him, to let Him touch us and to give us a promise that he is preparing a place for us in eternity!!

Jesus, touch us now and make us whole. For on the day you welcome us home we want to present ourselves as holy sacrifices to you.