Holy Saturday, 4/14/01

Jonah 2:5--7 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But You brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple. --NIV

In the name of the One Who brought Christ up from the pit, amen.

When the leaders of the people of Israel demanded a sign from Jesus after He had already performed many miracles, Jesus said that the only sign that they would be given was the sign of Jonah. Jesus told them that as Jonah was in the belly of the sea creature for three days, so Jesus would be in the belly of the earth for three days.

It is interesting that the Psalm/prophecy of Jonah from the belly of the sea creature speaks of the Lord having brought his life up from the pit. The way that is stated should jump off the page at us, because that Psalm was sung before Jonah was rescued. Jonah was not so much speaking of himself as he was prophesying of Christ.

Yes, the resurrection was certainly prophesied in the Old Testament. And Holy Baptism was alluded to, which the church has connected with Holy Saturday. For Jonah was in the deep waters when he gave this prophecy. So, when we are Baptized, we are baptized into death with Christ as St. Paul tells us in the sixth chapter of Romans. And if we are Baptized into death with Him, then we are also raised again to new life. Glory be to Jesus Who broke the power of the grave for us. Amen.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your love goes beyond mercy and kindness. It goes to the depth of the grave and to the height of heaven. Give us new life with You even now. And when we one day must face the grave, make death merely a brief sleep for us Who trust in You. Amen.

copyright 2001 Reformation Lutheran Church http://ReformationChurch.org _____________________________________________________