Lent, a Season of Hope: Preparing our Hearts for Easter, Day 46
John 19:40-42
“Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
It’s a dark day. The Cross is now empty. The crowds have scattered. Jesus has been taken to the tomb for His final resting place. His family, friends, and followers survey the cross, still in disbelief that He is gone. But the message of Holy Saturday is, “Get ready; something big is about to happen!” The darkness that has descended prepares us for the Light of Christ!
Lord Jesus, this was a dark day, as you lay in the tomb. But soon this dark Saturday would lead to the blessed hope of Your resurrection. For us, during these forty-six days of Lent, You have prepared our hearts to see Your Light through our tears as we wait for Easter Sunday. When we awake tomorrow, may our hearts be full of praise for Your willingness to exchange Your life for ours, a renewed sense of Your presence, a rekindled power in Your Holy Spirit, and a deeper abiding faith in You as our Redeemer. For Your sake we pray. Amen.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
~ Isaac Watts, 1707
