Holy Saturday, the day after Jesus Christ’s death on Good Friday and before His resurrection on Easter Sunday, is a day of somber reflection and profound hope, according to Pastor Jesse Bradley. Despite the chief priests and Pharisees securing Christ’s tomb with guards, Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, demonstrating that no one can stop the Lord or His promises. Holy Saturday is a time to remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus, turn from sin, and wait on the Lord, as God’s plans cannot be thwarted and His sustaining grace is always available to believers.
Bradley emphasizes that even in the bleakest moments, the promises of God stand firm, and that faith should be based on facts, not feelings. Cultivating habits such as reading the Bible, finding a community of faith, and serving others can bring hope and healing in difficult seasons. Serving others, even in times of personal struggle or emptiness, can help bring life to all and lead to restoration through God’s love. Despite the darkness of Holy Saturday, the knowledge of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday serves as a reassurance that trials will pass, and believers are never alone in their journey of faith.
The women who prepared spices on Holy Saturday and visited Christ’s tomb on Easter Sunday found the stone rolled away and experienced the miracle of His resurrection. Bradley emphasizes the importance of continuing to love God and remain steadfast in faith, even before miracles happen. He believes that God will reward those who trust in His Word and choose hope, even in the midst of uncertainty or despair. Holy Saturday serves as a time to pause, thank Jesus, trust God’s promises, wait with hope, and anticipate the glory and joy of Easter Sunday when Jesus is resurrected.
As the Easter season approaches, Bradley encourages believers to remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus, embrace somber reflection with profound hope, and cultivate habits of faith that provide strength and healing. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s promises, serving others with unselfish love, and choosing hope even in the darkest moments. Through the commemoration of Holy Saturday, believers are reminded of the ultimate victory of Christ’s resurrection and the eternal hope that comes from faith in God’s unwavering plan for salvation and grace.
