Holy Saturday. The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Theologians have speculated for more than 2,000 years as to what Jesus was doing on this day. A rather cryptic statement by Peter seems to indicate he was proclaiming the Gospel to the spirits of those who died in the Great Flood of Genesis 6-9, and is the Scripture that is the foundation for the statement in the Apostles' Creed that he descended into hell. This, and other similar texts however, can be interpreted in more than one way.
The work of Christ was completed when he died upon the cross. The price for our sins was paid; nothing more was necessary for our salvation, which is why his last word was, "It is accomplished!" In the Greek, it is a single word, rendered in the Authorized Version as, "It is finished." This was not the sad sigh of a dying man who finally gives in to defeat and despair. It is an exultant cry of victory; what he came to do is done, and salvation is complete. And if it is complete, there was nothing left for him to do except to rise again. It was the Sabbath, the day of rest, modeled after God's own resting after finishing the work of creation. I have no reason to believe that having finished the work of the New Creation, Jesus didn't simply rest, like his Father before him.
This day was quiet, awaiting the glory of the third day. So we wait quietly. The liturgical churches hold vigil through the night with the catechumens who are to be baptized on the morrow. Once the Sabbath rest is over, we burst forth in the new life of the resurrection, but for now, we rest. The first disciples rested in fear, believing that as their Master had died, they would be next. We however, rest in thankful anticipation. It is quiet now as we wait. Sunday's coming!
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