Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday, March 31, 2018       Job 14:7-14

After some species of trees are cut down, they will sprout new shoots (suckers) from their roots. Isaiah also uses this picture to describe the Savior coming from the “stump of Jesse” (the father of King David and ancestor of Christ Isaiah 11:1-2) Centuries later, long after the royal line of David seemed dead, Jesus would fulfill these words. 

Contrary to what religions of reincarnation (e.g. Hinduism and Buddhism) teach an individual does not come back. The Bible teaches that we die once and then face the judgment. (See Hebrews 9:27) 1

The message of Hebrews 9:28 points to the nature of the atonement that Jesus did while he was on earth. In that time, he came down to the level of humanity and went through every experience, and later died once and for all in sacrificial ways. The sacrifice was a one-time event and after that he went to be with God. In the eschatological moment, Hebrews informs readers that Christ will come for the second time and when he comes, there will be no repeat of the sacrifice but it will be a time to usher in salvation to those who have remained faithful, whether in the sleep of death or in their physical life (verse 28).

Hymn: Upon The Cross Extended (Lutheran Service Book 453:5)
Your soul in griefs unbounded
Your head with thorns surrounded,
You died to ransom me.
The cross for me enduring;
The crown for me securing,
You healed my wounds and set me free.

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of Your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen  2

1  Lutheran Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis 

 2 Collect for Holy Saturday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm