08-19-2026, 04:42 PM
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/fu...qus_thread
He Has Risen!
March 7, 2025
by Christine Caine
I love this time of year because the weeks leading up to Easter are all about preparing our hearts to celebrate the single greatest event in human history the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ever since the early centuries of Christianity, believers have set aside this time for fasting, prayer and reflection a time that eventually became known as Lent. Lent culminates in the events of Holy Week, including Holy (Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, which is also called Silent Saturday because that’s what it was silent. With nothing happening. Or so it seemed. On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in Jesus’ triumph over the grave, His victory over death, and all the freedom it procures us. But the day before was Saturday, a day when everything fell silent. The stone still sealed the tomb, soldiers guarded the entrance, and Jesus lay inside. Scripture assures us His body was indeed there (Mark 15:46), and it also tells us He was “in the heart of the earth three days,” working on finishing what His Father sent Him to do (Matthew 12:40, CSB).
Working on our future as He was about to be resurrected Sunday morning. But from the outside of the tomb looking in, there was nothing but silence. In our lives, Silent Saturday is something we experience when we hope, pray, dream, and expect what God has promised, only to find ourselves waiting. Waiting on the answer, the fulfillment, the promise. It’s that in-between place where Good Friday is behind us, and Easter Sunday is ahead of us that place of tension where it seems like everything is dead and lost. Nothing is happening. But as followers of Christ, we hope. We stand with faith. We endure. We stay expectant. We press on. Whatever you’re waiting on, let me be the one to tell you: The Easter message does not finish on Saturday. There’s always a Resurrection Sunday! When three women went to Jesus' tomb on Sunday morning, they carried with them spices to anoint His body (Mark 16:1). As they went, they mused to one another in such a practical way: “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?” (Mark 16:3, CSB)
They’d forgotten to factor in the multi-ton stone and who would move it out of the way. They didn’t understand the bigger picture: Saturdays are never silent. God is always at work. In us, in others and in our circumstances. In all the prayers we’ve prayed and all the promises He’s given. When the women arrived at the tomb, an angel sat inside, and Jesus was gone. “‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he told them. ‘You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here ...’” (Mark 16:6, CSB).
Saturdays are never silent. And Resurrection Sundays always come.
He Has Risen!
March 7, 2025
by Christine Caine
Quote:“He has risen! He is not here.” Mark 16:6c-d (CSB)
I love this time of year because the weeks leading up to Easter are all about preparing our hearts to celebrate the single greatest event in human history the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ever since the early centuries of Christianity, believers have set aside this time for fasting, prayer and reflection a time that eventually became known as Lent. Lent culminates in the events of Holy Week, including Holy (Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, which is also called Silent Saturday because that’s what it was silent. With nothing happening. Or so it seemed. On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in Jesus’ triumph over the grave, His victory over death, and all the freedom it procures us. But the day before was Saturday, a day when everything fell silent. The stone still sealed the tomb, soldiers guarded the entrance, and Jesus lay inside. Scripture assures us His body was indeed there (Mark 15:46), and it also tells us He was “in the heart of the earth three days,” working on finishing what His Father sent Him to do (Matthew 12:40, CSB).
Working on our future as He was about to be resurrected Sunday morning. But from the outside of the tomb looking in, there was nothing but silence. In our lives, Silent Saturday is something we experience when we hope, pray, dream, and expect what God has promised, only to find ourselves waiting. Waiting on the answer, the fulfillment, the promise. It’s that in-between place where Good Friday is behind us, and Easter Sunday is ahead of us that place of tension where it seems like everything is dead and lost. Nothing is happening. But as followers of Christ, we hope. We stand with faith. We endure. We stay expectant. We press on. Whatever you’re waiting on, let me be the one to tell you: The Easter message does not finish on Saturday. There’s always a Resurrection Sunday! When three women went to Jesus' tomb on Sunday morning, they carried with them spices to anoint His body (Mark 16:1). As they went, they mused to one another in such a practical way: “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?” (Mark 16:3, CSB)
They’d forgotten to factor in the multi-ton stone and who would move it out of the way. They didn’t understand the bigger picture: Saturdays are never silent. God is always at work. In us, in others and in our circumstances. In all the prayers we’ve prayed and all the promises He’s given. When the women arrived at the tomb, an angel sat inside, and Jesus was gone. “‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he told them. ‘You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here ...’” (Mark 16:6, CSB).
Saturdays are never silent. And Resurrection Sundays always come.