The bleak-hearted sun rose on post-crucifixion Saturday, just as it had every other day in Peter’s life, but no warmth from 93 million-miles-distant could reach his frozen heart. We are not given access to his actions or his thoughts on the day following his denial of Christ and the death of his dreams, but one thing is certain: the fisherman had lived three life times in the past three days.
Peter didn’t know he was living in “the in between.” Resurrection was the furthest thing from his mind. He had no idea that hope was on its way, and so Peter, James, John, and the rest of Jesus’s friends found themselves sitting in Saturday.
Because much of the Christian life is lived under Saturday-like conditions, it is helpful to hear that we also must “sit in Saturday;” we must squat in the tomb in order to enter into the grief and disappointment of the original disciples. Saturday is our opportunity to remember our own mortality, to remember that we live with Jesus in his death.
On Saturday, we evict ourselves from the center of the universe by embracing the gift of waiting, and by mourning our failure to see others and their grief. By grace, we hold on to what we believe with a Saturday faith that perseveres when our theology cannot account for the chaos we see around us.
What might God be saying to you about persevering with a Saturday faith?
Are you willing to hunker down in Saturday darkness and wait for what God will do?
Living by Saturday Faith,
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Living Our Days 
Sitting and waiting in this Saturday where hope seemed lost, knowing, though, that the light is just about to break through.
Blessed Easter, Michele!
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Too bad your blog doesn’t have a translator.
Frohe Ostern!
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You’re right! I’ve never looked into that before, but I will, now that you’ve suggested it!
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Love this idea of Saturday faith! Thanks for an amazing post and have a wonderful Easter!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
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Thank you, Kathrine, for reading.
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“… we evict ourselves from the center of the universe by embracing the gift of waiting…” Thank you for your thoughtful words.
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I think that phrase defines why I struggle so with waiting and with the unknown.
Thanks be to God for his patience with me!
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Can only picture their sad hearts that would turn to Joy once they understood what had just transpired before their eyes. I often wonder my reaction. Happy Easter.
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I wonder about my reaction, too.
Happy Easter!
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Wise words, my friend! Embracing the gift of waiting (and all its benefits) is so difficult to do, but surely a sign of mature faith. Praise God for Easter hope that does provide the needed encouragement for persevering through Saturday darkness. Thank you, Michele!
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Oddly, today is the first time I have felt restless and impatient with our sheltering at home. Kind of appropriate timing, but uncomfortable all the same. I am glad we have resurrection to celebrate tomorrow!
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I’ve just been thinking of how much time Bible people spent waiting. The disciples three-day wait seemed much shorter that Abraham’s for his son or the captive Jews for release from slavery. But, oh, how poignant it was, with having forgotten or not understood in the first place that the promise was coming, with all hopes dashed, with the taste of failure and sorrow the lats thing experienced. May we wait in patience and hope.
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I’m not good at waiting either, and that’s what comes to mind when I read about Moses waiting for God to meet him on Mt. Sinai. I’m afraid I’d have just concluded that I misheard God’s instructions and given up. And think of what I’d have missed!
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Oh, Michele, I’ve never thought about “sitting in Saturday” and having a “Saturday” faith before. I think we all have those times when we must sift through the emotions that result from our choices, we must figure out how to endure the waiting times—and from the uncontrollable—and come back to the fact that Jesus did rise from the dead. He is alive and with us in every moment. This is beautiful, my friend.
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Jeanne, I believe that there are even Saturday seasons in our parenting, times when everything looks like a mess and the wheels have come off and everything looks dark. Those are the hardest times to hope, but light does come. Truly.
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Amen! In our developed, modern, know-answers-to-everything culture, sitting through Saturdays and not knowing what’s going on is not an easy discipline. I’ve learned to worship, praise, and seek him. After all, we know the end of the story—Jesus wins!
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Oh, that’s so good, Anita. Even though its counter-cultural because it looks unproductive, sometimes waiting in hope is the most productive thing we can do.
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What a powerful post, Michele. It not only evokes the in-between waiting between Good Friday and Easter, but also the waiting we are doing in our homes right now because of the pandemic. Saturday faith is easier for us because we know the glory of Sunday is coming.
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I am not sure I’ve ever experienced the Friday through Sunday of Holy Week in quite the way it happened this year. It’s been a gift, and I hope I don’t forget.
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Sitting in the Silent Saturday is definitely a hard thing, especially for us can-do Americans. But sit we must. God encouraged us throughout scripture to wait on him. He’s giving us ample opportunities to practice that in this season! 🙂
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I just think that Saturday must have been the toughest Saturday of their lives—maybe, the toughest Saturday of any human’s life? The Saturday in between… Especially for Peter who had denied knowing Jesus. WoW! I imagine the events of that day playing over and over and over in Peter’s head… The regret… Poor Peter! I am so glad there was a Sunday!!!
Thank you, Michele, for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
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What a great thought, Patsy! We’re all so thankful that Sunday came, and with it, resurrection!
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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