Holy Saturday - Hope Week 2025
Grief in the Waiting
"And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man
in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was
no deceit in his mouth" - Isaiah 53:9
Imagine the horror, grief and despair that Jesus’ disciples felt on that Saturday. Just days before, they had seen prophecy fulfilled as Jesus entered Jerusalem amidst praise and waving palm branches. A King had come to topple the Roman Empire and set them free. But now, Jesus was dead, hastily buried before the Sabbath in a tomb belonging to Joseph
of Arimathea, a wealthy man who had become a disciple of Jesus. While His followers mourned in stunned shock and disbelief, the Pharisees were acutely aware of the prophecies.
They were so concerned that they went to Pilate in Matthew 27:
"The next day...the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they
said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days
I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third
day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
Jesus’ followers were understandably so consumed by grief, that they missed the signs of prophesies being fulfilled in the details of His death. Yet, God was still at work, and His word remained true—hope was coming! How often do we too allow our circumstances to blind us to what God is doing? God is loving and unchanging. Even when we cannot see a way forward, we can trust His faithfulness. Hope is coming!
in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was
no deceit in his mouth" - Isaiah 53:9
Imagine the horror, grief and despair that Jesus’ disciples felt on that Saturday. Just days before, they had seen prophecy fulfilled as Jesus entered Jerusalem amidst praise and waving palm branches. A King had come to topple the Roman Empire and set them free. But now, Jesus was dead, hastily buried before the Sabbath in a tomb belonging to Joseph
of Arimathea, a wealthy man who had become a disciple of Jesus. While His followers mourned in stunned shock and disbelief, the Pharisees were acutely aware of the prophecies.
They were so concerned that they went to Pilate in Matthew 27:
"The next day...the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they
said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days
I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third
day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
Jesus’ followers were understandably so consumed by grief, that they missed the signs of prophesies being fulfilled in the details of His death. Yet, God was still at work, and His word remained true—hope was coming! How often do we too allow our circumstances to blind us to what God is doing? God is loving and unchanging. Even when we cannot see a way forward, we can trust His faithfulness. Hope is coming!
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it significant that Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus’ burial was fulfilled, even in such a small detail? What does that say about God’s attention to His promises?
2. In what ways have you seen God at work behind the scenes in your own life—especially during seasons of confusion, loss, or waiting?
3. In what ways can we encourage others who might be experiencing a “Saturday” season of grief or doubt?
2. In what ways have you seen God at work behind the scenes in your own life—especially during seasons of confusion, loss, or waiting?
3. In what ways can we encourage others who might be experiencing a “Saturday” season of grief or doubt?
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