Saturday

The Marvel of Hope

During the week of Jesus’ trial and eventual execution by the Romans, He taught through many parables and made predictions of the things to come, both far and near. Most especially, He foretold of His impending death and reminded them that on the third day, He would rise again. No doubt the subject matter of many songs and writings, the events of these three days have become cornerstones of today’s Christianity. Although we have the luxury of historical perspective to aid us in our understanding; the eyewitness accounts of the empty tomb, and the personal testimony of His sightings by many, are numerous and make a great foundation in our faith that He did what He said He would do. We also have historical data that supports the life of a man named Jesus, the Romans recorded His execution, and the type of punishment was in line with the times for Rome and her rivals. The accounts and testimonials during these three days vary slightly from person to person, nevertheless, the narrative remains consistent; However, there may be something in-between Friday and Sunday that we need to consider.

Saturday was a definite day of emotional and spiritual darkness for the followers of Christ. Most of them did not understand the complete salvation story playing out in their very circle. They had heard the predictions and knew of His power to renew and restore, but who would do that for their teacher? That seems like a skeptical and heretical thing to think or say, even now as I write it. Of course, they thought as we would, God would come for His son, but how would that look, and what would it mean to those left behind? Death occurred on Friday, life was predicted for Sunday, but what about Saturday?

The Bible tells us of a man named Abraham. By all accounts Abraham lived a Godly life, trusting God, praying for others, if anyone would be blessed by God it would be him. But year after year his wife, Sarah, was not able to conceive a child. In those days it was imperative to have children to pass along the family history, and sometimes the land or authority of the family name. Especially important, would have been a son, a name bearer, a continuing heir. Abraham had none of that, and I’m sure there were rumors as to why. What sin or terrible thing had they done for God to “punish” them in this way? If you’ll read through their story, this couple went year after year believing in an outcome that would seemingly never arrive. They had gone through much adversity together, their ‘Friday’ of longsuffering and doubts had caused turmoil and confusion. At one point, they took things into their own hands to “help God out”, what a disaster that turned out to be. When Sarah gave her servant Hagar to Abraham so that she could bear him a son, it caused all kinds of suffering in their family, including jealousy, and resentment. And just think, a new dad at 86 years old. When God renewed His promise to Abraham some 13 years later, Abraham laughed at becoming a father at 100 years of age. Yet, God did what He promised, and 99-year-old Sarah had a son, Isaac.

Fast forward a few years later. Can you imagine how proud Abraham was of young Isaac? His first-born son of Sarah, a promise of God fulfilled, and as trials sometimes follow triumph, Abraham was about to experience another biggie. One day, God spoke to Abraham and told him to take his son Isaac to a far-off mountain top where he was to build an altar. He was to supply the wood and the burnt sacrifice to God there in that place, the wood they carried, the sacrifice followed along, in the person of his son, Isaac. Without hesitation, Abraham gathered the supplies necessary for the trip and told Isaac, let's get going, God has called us to make a sacrifice and it’s a long journey, three days the bible tells us. Along the way, young Isaac notices that they have the wood, flint, and knife to slaughter the animal, but no animal. As young children do, he asked his dad about what he thought might be an oversight. ‘Hey dad’ he says, ‘we have everything but the lamb for the sacrifice’. Abraham answers him saying, ‘God will provide’. I cannot imagine the struggle in Abraham's heart at that moment. Believing that obedience to God would not lead to destruction and knowing God had promised to bless his children and the many to come, still his heart must have been heavy. He was certainly in-between his own Friday and Sunday, not knowing what would come next.

Finally, they reach the mountain for the sacrifice, Abraham leaves the helpers and the animals and tells them, ‘We’ll be back after we worship God’. Notice he doesn’t say, ‘I’ll be back? He still has faith that God’s promises are true, and both he and Isaac will return. At this point, I’m not sure how a father goes forward, but the alter is built, the wood is laid into place, and somehow, with words that I cannot find to elaborate, Abraham tells young Isaac that God has called him to be the sacrifice. How can that be? To let go and let God… This is a moment in time that I cannot fathom. Abraham ties up Isaac and lays him on the altar before God, raising the knife, I imagine him with his arms held high and his eyes closed, trusting God, and just as he gives in to obey God’s command, an angel calls out to Abraham. ‘I’m listening’ he says. Don’t hurt Isaac, still your hand and put the knife back in its sheath. God sees your faithful heart, lacking any hesitation to follow His commands, He will pour out blessings to you, and your family will thrive. As promised, God sends a ram, caught in a nearby bush as the final sacrifice. Together, Isaac and Abraham return to their home, Sunday had come. God’s plan had fulfilled itself for both to see, blessed them in their faith, kept Isaac safe, and protected a dad from a heartbreaking decision. God had provided a rescue from a decision and circumstances because of faithfulness.

 

God provided the rescue from Abrahams ‘Saturday’

 

In our Christian lives, I believe we live through this same scenario many times. Perhaps not to the extreme of a sacrifice on a burning altar, but life and death do come our way through trials. You might be a mother, a married believer in Christ who is suddenly sitting in a doctor’s office listening to him tell you that you have cancer. Your Friday just came. Perhaps you are a man of God suddenly struck down with a debilitating disorder, your career is in ruin, your ministry’s future is in question, and now burdening your family with caring for you. Your Friday has arrived. Whether it’s the loss of a parent or maybe a sudden lack of income that forces you into homelessness, we all experience our Friday sooner or later. It’s devastating. As Christians, we believe in Sunday’s resurrection and renewal, but as broken people, we often get stuck in Saturday’s doubt, fear, and rejection.

What do we know about Saturday? Is it meant to be a day of unbelief and hesitation in our lives? Or is it meant to be the moment in our struggles that God promises to carry us through and reminds us to be faithful? To find the strength to trust Him, be obedient, and keep putting one foot in front of the other, taking one day at a time in the belief that God does what He says He will do.

Jesus was convicted, executed, and buried on Friday. To the world, He had lost everything in one day. A week before, He was riding high, treated like royalty, and now He was lifeless on the cross and laid in a tomb. Friday had come. He had excepted the weight of our sins and chose to take our place. A death sentence. No angels were dispatched to rescue Him from the grip of pain and anguish, the thirst and struggle to breathe were real, and excruciating. During all of this, each of His followers watched and knew of the horror playing out on this very public stage. For them, Friday had come in like a fifty-foot wave, crushing their hopes and dreams. Their faith was being tested and they were about to feel the full power of Saturday.

Perhaps it’s a little easier for us, we know the story, we’ve read the rest of the book, we know who wins. But for His followers, I am certain that Saturday was a trying and nerve-wracking experience. They had promises and predictions, but no one had ever seen anything like this before. The Romans had put their stamp of excellence on the permanent silencing of this “King of the Jews”. Or had they? Jesus had told them many times in different ways, that he would rise after three days. Our faith has the luxury of knowing how the story ends, His followers were just trying to figure out how not to be the next one on the cross. The Gospel of Luke says that some huddled quietly together on the Sabbath, would Jewish tradition have allowed them to even discuss their fears?  They were right in the middle of their Saturday. A day whose emotions would be ruled by their faith and their obedience. Like Abraham, would they follow the teachings of Jesus without hesitating? Or would they more slowly and steadily find their footing, gather together, and ignite hope?

For much of our life, we live in and between this scenario of Friday (pain or tragedy), Saturday (the waiting period of the unknown), and Sunday (redemption and salvation). When we go through a ‘Friday’ event in life we want to say to ourselves, Sunday is on the way, but what if there are many Saturdays to come? Abraham was one hundred years old when God’s promise of a son was finally fulfilled, and thirteen years had passed since he tried to fix it himself and only made things worse. That right there is steadfast obedience. Did Abraham mess up during his waiting period, sure he did, but he never stopped believing in the promises; Eventually, God made good on each one of them. If you find yourself stuck firmly within Saturday’s grip, between the chaos of pain and trials and the doubt that comes with fear of the unknown; Remember, that isn’t where God wants you to be, however, while you’re there He calls you to believe that He is a good and faithful God. Sunday’s Coming. This is the perfect time to live as Abraham did, knowing that God will follow through. So, live in faith, believe your deliverance is coming, put one foot in front of the other, even if it seems impossible and you can barely take that next step. Sunday is on the way. The true marvel that we experience in our ‘Saturday’ is hope. Hope- in Jesus. Love- that He so cherished us that He wouldn’t leave us stuck on Saturday. And faith- that everything He said He would do, He will!

Faith, Hope, and Love. It’s hard to be good at one without the other, but with our hearts steadied and invested in all three, we too can marvel and know that Saturday is only a few hours before Sunday’s promise.

 

 

Genesis 22  ~  Luke 23: 55-56  ~  Corinthians 13:13

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