Scripture Reading for Saturday
Luke 23:56
Devotional Meditation
The Friday of the death of Jesus was a day filled with darkness, pain and grief. Those who had followed Christ throughout his three years of ministry watched helplessly as the man to whom they had pledged their lives hung dying on a tree. They had seen their friend’s undeserved humiliation, witnessed their teacher’s terrible death, and had sorrowfully buried their Lord. With the coming of the new day of the Sabbath came the heartache of loss, the questions, and the fear. And yet, even in the midst of their own emotional whirlwind, the disciples chose to observe this day that was long ago set apart by the Lord as holy.
The Sabbath was first established by the Creator God Himself on the seventh day of Creation, when the Lord rested from His work after proclaiming it very good (Genesis 1:31), signifying the completion of His work of Creation. Even on the first Sabbath displayed to mankind, the Lord knew of the future Sabbath following the day of the greatest sacrifice ever displayed to humanity in which His indescribable love would be so majestically revealed. Even after the fall, the Sabbath served as a continual reminder of the glory of God, and acted as a shadow of the eternal rest and peace that awaits those who trust in the Lord.
The Saturday following Jesus’ death was a day of completion, as Christ rested before He returned victorious even over death. On Friday, as Christ hung on the cross, He cried out “It is finished” (John 19:30). The work of redemption was complete, the promise of recreation forever sealed through Jesus’ death. These three words not only allowed His disciples to rest on the Sabbath, but it allowed all people who trust in Christ, from the beginning of the world until its end, to rest forever. These words carry the hope of all who believe, and the promise that they carry is confirmed through the joyous occasion of Sunday.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for sending your Son to be the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf so that we may rest in the peace of Your presence. Your love is so beautiful and your mercy undeserved. You alone are the Lord, the only One who is powerful enough to break through the loud chaos that surrounds and envelopes us, the only One who can replace it with peace. We trust You and humble ourselves before You today, asking that You use our lives for Your glory. May Your kingdom come on earth, as it is in Heaven, as we await Your coming. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s devotional meditation was written for you by Amelia Pennington.
