At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
-John 19:41-42
Consider this.
Today we wake up sober, or perhaps we wake up drunk – either we are in shock or sickened. Today is Saturday, Jesus is dead, actually dead, and if we are faithful to the work his death has for us, we have to say death has found its victory and the sting is deep.
We began this Lenten Journey in a garden, and that is where we’ve come today – in a garden and a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. Once again all creation holds its breath as humanity goes into the ground, and the trinity Herself cannot attempt to make humanity breathe again. Today the tomb has swallowed this grain of wheat, and what happens next we have no idea except death upon death.
The Son of God has descended into pure humility, humus, dust – from dust he came to dust he has returned, like all the ha’adams before, so what’s the point? Maybe we should just pull the covers over our heads and let the shame envelope us.
Today is Saturday. Our hope is gone, and to doubt the goodness of God may not be Christian, but it is certainly human and never before have we been more aware of that than we are now.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.