Hebrews 4:12-13 (NRSV)
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Devotion
We’ve made it to Holy Saturday. In an act of Lenten confession, I’ll admit that I never really know what Holy Saturday is supposed to mean.
None of the gospels mention this day specifically. We only know that Jesus was buried with care by his disciples. Were his followers brave enough to grieve his death? Was the empire celebrating it? Even the Apostles Creed is light on the details: Jesus was crucified dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead. The pinnacle of God’s redemptive act takes place on this day, and we almost always pass it by. It is a mystery, but it means the world.
Theologian Frederick Buechner pus it a little more bluntly: “I have no idea what happened except, as I say, what really matters is not so much what happened there as what happens now — what happens in your life and my life, what happens in the world, what happens the next five days, five years of human history.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 reminds us that the mystery of Holy Saturday isn’t necessarily ours to understand, but rather God’s to use. Our journey to the cross did not end yesterday when Jesus was hung upon it, and it doesn’t end today. The journey to the cross begins again in each one of us right now, the “living and active” word of God. Holy Saturday is a call to action in response to the mystery of grace. As Buechner prompts, “What happens now?”
Prayer
Mysterious God, may you use me today and every day to be your living and active word in this world. I know that what happens now matters, and I want to be a part of it. Amen.
Lizzy Steel