The Saddest Day

The Saddest Day

Holy Saturday, the day between Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection was considered the saddest day ever. Yesterday I posted that "Good Friday should be called Black Friday" because of the despicable death of our Savior, but in reality, today should be called "Black Saturday".

To His disciples -- those who walked with Him and talked with Him, those who saw His good acts and the many miracles he performed (raising people from the dead, opening blind eyes and deaf ears, forgiving the worst of sinners and encouraging them to sin no more, and heard Him teach about loving our neighbors AND our enemies) -- Jesus was dead. They had forgotten His 3-days promise. To them, it was all over. They succumbed to doubt, fear, and unbelief. Yes, for them, it WAS the saddest day EVER.

This year, Good Friday fell on March 25th which is always the day that commemorates the Annunciation -- the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Think about it....9 months from yesterday is Christmas, December 25th. I heard Father Bryan V. Brooks say that we often think that Jesus' birth is the biggest deal, but in reality, Good Friday -- the day He died for our sicknesses, our sins, our "abundant life" on this earth and our eternal life with Him -- is the colossal deal.

What happened in the manger is certainly significant and awe-inspiring, but what happened at the cross, and then the tomb three days later, is really what changed history. There’s no victory without the resurrection. There’s no resurrection without the cross. There’s no cross without the manger. Jesus was born to die on Calvary. Today may be the saddest day to many, but to those who know the story AND who know the Savior -- we know that JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!