We don’t really have a name for the day after Good Friday, so I’m wondering if we should use Good Saturday. Then I think, would it be a good Saturday for me if I lived in Jesus’ day? I mean, what did everyone do the next day after the death of the Savior of the world? Of course, most people didn’t even realize that is what happened. Most of the people “spiritual eyes” were still blind. (Mk. 8:17,18)
Mary (Jesus’ mom) probably spent her day grieving the loss of her son and remembering the many wonderful memories they had together. She may have even cried to God saying, “Did it have to be this way?” And her mother instincts would have wandered to how Jesus deserved better and how the required burial rituals were yet to be done. I’m sure she would have needed time alone- in her new home with John the disciple, but she also would have drawn some strength from him as well. (Jn. 19:26,27)
Peter probably spent the day grieving as well. When the dust settled on the tragic day, the guilt of his denial (Jn. 18:25+) would have resounded in his ears over and over again. He likely spent the Saturday going over everything that happened again and again wondering what he could have done differently, and how he should have acted. The self butt-kickings would not have stopped for a long, long time.
One centurion who was at the cross spent the next day laughing at this wretched, brutalized ‘king’ with the other criminals that he nailed to the cross, the one whose clothing he now owned. Another centurion sat in confusion wondering over all that went on and the words he had never heard anyone speak from a cross before. Yet other centurions were experiencing new life from watching Jesus, hearing the words He said, and by the fearful signs that happened. (Mt. 27:54)
The High Priest and his partners in Jesus’ incrimination were toasting and discussing the close call they had with this man who almost cost them their reputations. They discussed how things should settle down now and made certain the tomb would remain guarded. Two priests sat in a quiet spot conferring over the strange signs, mostly how they were in the Temple
Some were crying at the loss of the Messiah, while some were cheering at His death. Some felt pain over their own actions while others tried to figure out how to properly anoint the body. (Mk. 16:1) Some were questioning everything they had ever thought while others were ‘reading the news of the day’ and picking a side to be on. So, here is my question. If it was the day after Jesus’ death, where do you think you would have been, and what do you think you would have been doing? Would it be a good Saturday for you… and if so why? or why not?