Awaiting a savior [Holy Saturday reflection]

Listen to this reflection

“We Adore You O Christ and we praise You because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.”

By your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. A lot is said in this single line. A lot can be said about this Holy Saturday.

Something different has happened on this day. Normally when a man is crucified, he dies and is held captive by Death. Prior to Jesus, every one of our human ancestors has been held captive in darkness, since Adam. For Adam sinned against God in the garden, and before this relationship could be restored, that sin needed to be paid for. Something needs to be done to right the wrong.
 
Now today we have the results of the price being paid, the wrong being made right. That price is the cross.
 
As Jesus’ crucified body lies wrapped in the sealed tomb, His Spirit descends into hell. The dominions of darkness that used to rule ravenously on their own turf scatter in terror and panic as the King of Kings enters eminently, unexpectedly. The Christ Light begins to stretch over the far span of this dark abyss as He touches those who have been lost and awaiting a savior. Their eyes are lifted and life touches their being. They reach up and touch the light and join His train.
 
How can we connect to this day? I propose we have all personally known a horrifying darkness in life of one sort or another. Maybe as a child, a literal fear of the dark, maybe a fear of the darkness within, maybe a dark and difficult time in life.


But on this day, we reflect on Jesus. The light of life appearing in that first darkness and in our own personal darkness, offering His hand and leading us out of captivity. By walking hand-in-hand with Him, we now share His power over sin and death.

Let us reflect today on how Christ has reached into our own darkness to save us and acknowledge how we are free now to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus, into the triumphant Resurrection which He has won for us. The Triumphant Resurrection which we will soon celebrate, and that final Triumphant Resurrection, which in Hope, we await.

Click here to get our Easter Sunday reflection in your inbox.