he has gone beyond what eyes can see

a short meditation for holy saturday

Fra Angelico, “Christ in Limbo,” 1441 [Public Domain]

The doctrine of the Harrowing of Hell tells us that, between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, Jesus was not just dead, but was in the realm of the dead- wherever that might be, and whatever that might look like.

Through the tapestry of Scripture we understand in the realm of the dead Jesus fought and won a cosmic victory. He pronounced judgement on the powers of sin and darkness. He freed the souls of saints who had been long dead (the gospel of Matthew even says they appeared later in Jerusalem). On Easter, he himself emerged victorious- his holiness was not swallowed up by death.

And it all matters because we see in the Harrowing the same pattern of the cross: to find our lives, we must lose them. When we lay down our comfort, rights, and desires, for the sake of others, we see new creation breaking into life. Jesus set up this pattern for us, this pattern that would bring light to the world, and gave us the power to carry it out.

So.

Imagine yourself on Holy Saturday, 2000 odd years ago.

Jesus is fighting for you.

He is entering the darkest place.

He has gone beyond what the eyes can see.

Take a moment and let the weight of that rest on your heart.

Let it give you courage to continue his pattern.

Jesus has entered darkness. Will you go there with him?

Amen.