Holy Saturday: Every Day is Holy Saturday

Holy Week Reading Plan: Matthew 27:62-66

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Holy Saturday is the day in-between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

As Christians, it can be easy to jump from the crucifixion to the resurrection without any reflection on the day in-between. I have led and attended many Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. However, I have never been invited to a Holy Saturday Service.

Part of me gets it. In Mathew’s gospel, there are not that many verses in-between Jesus’ death and resurrection. So, unless you want to delve into extrabiblical texts, there really is not much to say about Holy Saturday. If you are a theology nerd like me, you may have gone down the Google rabbit-hole and read about “The Harrowing of Hell” and other examples of this. 

Despite its lack of discussion in the Bible and lack of observance from the Christians, Holy Saturday is still an important day in Holy Week. Because of that, it is also an important day for our theology on death and resurrection. It is understood that Jesus did not die and then immediately reunite with His disciples. There was some time in-between.

Similarly, there will be some time in-between our loved ones passing and us being reunited with them in Heaven. You likely know how long and painful this time in-between can be. Holy Saturday commemorates the in-between.

We do not know exactly what Jesus’ disciples did in-between His death and resurrection. I imagine it was a long and painful day. While we do not know what the disciples did on the first Holy Saturday, we do know what Jesus did in-between the death and resurrection of one of His friends.

John 11:1-44 tells the story of Lazarus’ death and resurrection. When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, He grieved the death of His friend. Verse 35, the shortest verse in the entire Bible, simply reads, “Jesus wept” (NIV).

If you are familiar with this story, then you know that Jesus had told people that Lazarus would be raised from the dead (v. 11, 23, 25-26). Because of this, Jesus did not need to weep. Instead, He could have told those who were mourning to stop crying because Lazarus would not be dead for much longer. However, that’s not what Jesus did. Jesus wept with those who wept. 

As Christian leaders, we can have hope for eternal life and simultaneously grieve the loss of earthly life. When you lose a loved one, there could be an inclination to focus on how you will see them again in Heaven. 

This is essentially what Martha did when she told Jesus, “I know (Lazarus) will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (v. 24, NIV). We do something similar when we jump from the crucifixion to resurrection without any reflection on the day in-between.

For those longing to be reunited in Heaven with their loved ones who have passed, every day is Holy Saturday. Yes, Sunday is coming. And it will be a joyful day when we are reunited with our loved ones in Heaven.

However, today is Saturday. That time in-between can be long and painful. Holy Week gives us time to rejoice. It also gives us time to grieve. Do not skip over it.

_{^{Originally posted on April 8, 2023. Last updated on April 19, 2025.}}