April 4 Holy Saturday – A Missed Sabbath Worship and Reading
Joshua 4
The disciples of Christ were a fumbling bunch of fearful fellows after the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Despite the fact that Jesus was the perfect teacher, healer, friend, and pastor, 100% of the flock scattered on the Passover. Faithful leaders who struggle to see growth can find some solace there.
Jesus’ manner of prophesying this was curious, yet profound: “You will all fall away because of Me this night.” (Mt. 26:31) Even this truth was a twice-told prophecy, once on the way walking up the hill to the garden to pray, and 500 years earlier by the Prophet Zechariah: “…Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” (13:7)
They would fall “because of Me,” Jesus would say. Important fact: He did not scatter them. Instead, because He appeared weak, they feared for their lives. And they missed church the next day. John tells us the disciples were literally locked up in fear. And what reading did they miss? Joshua 5. A portion of that chapter was read in the synagogues and the temple on Holy Saturday. The epic reading of the coming victory over the massive walls of Jericho, included the “Captain of the Lord” addressing Joshua in a private meeting – after the Passover – and before Jericho’s walls would come “a’tumbling down,” the “Captain of the Lord” was God, in human form.
The timing of this reading is precisely corresponding to the day after Passover in Jesus’ day. God would bring the wall of Jericho down through trumpet blasts of praise. Jesus would destroy the walls holding mankind inside the “gates of hell” through people who — like Peter — would confess the strong name of Jesus, as “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Mt. 16:16)
The walls of fear, doubt, guilt, and shame, encircling Peter – and all of the fearful disciples who abandon their Lord – would come crashing down the “day after the Sabbath after the Passover.” (Lev. 23:11) The Triune God, Yahweh the Great “I Am” – the Living One, would erase death forever – for the faithful. “Death could not hold Him” – would later be included in Peter’s inspired sermon. (Acts 2:24) After Easter, the disciples were free from their fear; sight had replaced fear, for them. For us who stand on the “foundation of the Apostles and Prophets,” (Eph. 2:20) Jesus is the living Cornerstone, and He is not falling!
Prayer: : Lord, in our walls of doubt, proclaim the trumpeting truth:
“Mercy triumphs over judgment!” Free us from all ungodly fears.
May we stand firmly on Your promises! Amen. (James 2:13)
