Day Seven-Holy Saturday

Day one hundred thirteen

I love this time of year when people aren't afraid to act like true Christians. They feel the need to express their love for the Savior and don't really worry about what other people think.  They have been spending time thinking about Him throughout the week and are grateful for the Atonement and they want others to feel the joy that they do.  So my prayer today is one of gratitude for the chance that we have to refocus our lives on Christ and to renew our faith and efforts in sharing the gospel.  May we take advantage of these moments to fill our spiritual cup and receive the blessings that the Lord has for us!  

The Last Week of Christ's Life

Holy Saturday
Many Christians believe that on the seventh day of the week Jesus rested in the tomb. In the first three Gospel accounts this was the Jewish Sabbath, which provided appropriate symbolism of the seventh day rest. While some church traditions continue daily services on Saturday, there is no communion served on this day.  Some traditions suspend services and Scripture readings during the day on Saturday, to be resumed at the Easter Vigil after sundown Saturday.

It is traditionally a day of quiet meditation as Christians contemplate the darkness of a world without a future and without hope apart from God and his grace.  It is also a time to remember family and the faithful who have died as they await the resurrection, or to honor the martyrs who have given their lives for the cause of Christ in the world.

While Good Friday is a traditional day of fasting, some also fast on Saturday as the climax of the season of Lent.  An ancient tradition dating to the first centuries of the church calls for no food of any kind to be eaten on Holy Saturday, or for 40 hours before sunrise on Sunday. (The Days of Holy Week by Dennis Bratcher)

A Latter-day Saint Perspective
The four Gospels don't have much to say on the events of the seventh day, Luke tells us that they "rested the sabbath day according to the commandment." (Luke 23:56)

It would be Peter who would later give us more details on the events of this day.  He tells us that Christ "went and preached unto the spirits in prison." (1 Pet 3:18-19; 1 Pet 4:6).  If you go back and read John 5:25-29 you will see that the Savior had prophesied concerning his activities in the post-earthly spirit world earlier in his ministry:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

President Joseph F. Smith gives us more details on Christ's visit to the spirit prison in Doctrine and Covenants Section 138. My favorite verse in this section is 15.  I love the description of how those in the spirit prison felt:  "I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand."

The Book of Mormon tells us that Christ spoke to the Nephite survivors during this time (3 Ne 9:13-17). He did not appear to them on this occasion, but spoke to them out of the darkness.  Even in death, Christ was about doing His Father's will, delivering his message of joy and hope.

Holy Saturday for many Christians will be a time of reflection, waiting, and weeping. However, my time reflecting on the events of the seventh day of the last week of Christ's life has lead me to believe that this would be a good day for us to follow Christ's example and share the message of joy and hope with those around us.  What a great way to honor Christ on this Holy Saturday!