If I could have it this way I know I’d
I’d wanna live where it’s like today
I’d wanna live where it’s always this way
I wanna live where it’s always Saturday (Guadalcanal Diary)
For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. (1 Peter 4:6)
Christ is risen!
I hope, in spite of the strange times we’re living in, that you were able to celebrate Easter yesterday. Although our culture gives greater attention to Christmas, Easter is the more important holiday. Without Easter, without God raising Jesus from the dead, Christmas would have no meaning. On Easter morning God’s promises of new and everlasting life were fulfilled.
However, I would like to take a step back and talk about the day before Easter.
Outside of the Orthodox Church, Holy Saturday doesn’t get a lot of love. For most of us, it’s just a day to color eggs, cook, clean and prepare for Sunday’s festivities. In terms of the Easter story, it seems like a quiet day without much going on. Since it was the sabbath, Father Thomas Keating believes that Jesus’ body was just taking a well- deserved rest in the tomb – a sabbath rest (more on that next week).
I don’t think that’s the case. In fact, something very important was happening on that first Holy Saturday.
To begin with, in spite of appearances to the contrary, God was at work. Why does the sabbath begin in the evening? Because the belief is that God works while we are asleep. God always acts first and we respond. That is the pattern in scripture from beginning to end. We may be unaware of God’s activity, but we can be assured that God is active.
So, what was happening on that Saturday between the crucifixion and resurrection? In the Apostle’s Creed we confess that Jesus “descended into hell (or to the dead).” What was the purpose of his descent? 1 Peter tells us that Jesus went to bring the good news to those imprisoned there:
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,
in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. (1 Peter 3:18-20)
In my Lutheran tradition, it is stated this way:
“We believe simply that the entire person, God and human being, descended to Hell after his burial, conquered the devil, destroyed the power of Hell, and took from the devil all his power” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. IX).
This is known as the Harrowing of Hell, where Jesus released at least some of Hell’s captives. Which begs the question: Is the trip to hell one way? C.S. Lewis, the great Christian writer and apologist apparently didn’t think so. In his novel The Great Divorce, Lewis writes that even after death it is possible for those in hell to repent and go to heaven, but that most people choose to remain in hell.
So, what does Holy Saturday have to teach us?
First, God’s love cannot be contained. Even while his body was resting in the tomb, Jesus was working on our behalf. That means that even during those times when it seems like our prayers for help are falling on deaf ears, when it seems like nothing is happening, God is working for our good. We may not be able to see God’s activity (at least right away), but we can be confident that God is working on our behalf.
The second lesson is that God comes to us, not the other way around. Over the centuries, many believers have pictured the way to salvation as a ladder or stairway to be climbed (Led Zeppelin anyone?). But, that’s not the case. God descends – as an infant in a manger; as an innocent man on a cross; as the victorious Savior descending to hell; as the King coming down to live with us at the end of time (see Revelation). That’s why I like the painting above by Fra Angelico: Jesus is reaching out, literally lifting people out of hell.
And that’s the final lesson: Jesus’ hand is always extended, offering to bring us into relationship. That’s why I don’t believe hell will have the last word. God is tireless in pursuing a relationship with His children. Why would death change that? I am one of those people who believe that hell is separation from God and you don’t need to die to be in hell. I also believe that hell is a choice. We can choose to remain separated from God, or we can take Jesus’ hand and be lifted up to new life. It will mean death to sin, death to our old way of living which is painful, but we will rise with Christ.
Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Mark
Divine Overtones 