Holy Week: Saturday (April 4, AD 33)

Saturday: The Sabbath (April 4, AD 33)

Matt 27:62-66

Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath, the day of rest where people refrained from work. As Luke writes, “On the Sabbath, they rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56). Nevertheless, the Jewish authorities prevail upon Pontius Pilate to post guards at Jesus’ tomb, afraid that His followers might commit a feat of deception and move his body, later claiming that he rose from the dead as Jesus had predicted. Pilate accedes to their wishes and has the tomb secured.

The Jews were very concerned about keeping God’s commandments—the Sabbath commandment, in particular—but they had no qualms crucifying the Messiah. What incredible irony! Let us make sure we pursue a loving, living relationship with our Lord rather than thinking our faith is primarily a matter of conforming to external trappings of religion, whether Bible-reading, church-going, or other activities. While these are good and important, they are no substitute for a heart relationship with Christ and an obedient life of service lived for his glory.

Note: This is a blog that originally appeared on Songtime.com. You can view the original post here.