The traditional Way of the Cross ends with the fourteenth station: “Jesus is laid in the tomb.”
Holy Saturday, or the Saturday of Light, is the final day of Lent. It’s the day between Jesus’ death on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
It’s a day of quiet mourning, prayer, and waiting, commemorating Jesus’ rest in the tomb after His crucifixion.
Jesus is laid in the tomb.
Scripture tells us that following His death, Pontius Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph of Arimathea, who, along with Nicodemus and some of Christ’s followers, laid Jesus’ body in Joseph’s own garden tomb.
His body was wrapped in linen cloths with spices and laid to rest in the new tomb. Before departing, they rolled a large stone in front of the entrance to secure it (Matthew 27:60).
Jesus’ tomb is significant because it’s not just the place where His body is laid; it becomes the place of His victory over death.
The tomb represents both separation and victory.
The act of laying Jesus in a new tomb fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, “And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.“
The rolling of the stone and the sealing of the tomb represent the temporary separation between Jesus and the world. This separation would not last. Death could not hold Him. He would rise again just as He promised.
Guards are posted at Jesus’ tomb.
Aware that Jesus had spoken of His death and resurrection (Matthew 17:22-23; Luke 18:31-33), the Pharisees went to Pilate and requested guards be posted at the tomb.
Why did the Pharisees do this? Fear motivated them. They were afraid His followers would take Jesus’ body and then claim He had risen. In their minds, this would be worse than the “crimes” they had crucified Him for.
Little could they know or even begin to fathom that, despite their efforts, the presence of the guards could not prevent what was to come. For nothing can thwart the will of God. Not even death itself.
Holy Saturday: A Solemn Day of Mourning
Holy Saturday was a solemn day of mourning and uncertainty for Jesus’ disciples and followers. Though Jesus had told them of His resurrection, they did not fully grasp what it meant. I can imagine hope filled their hearts, but sadness also. After witnessing Jesus’ brutal death and laying Him to rest, they were likely feeling lost and overwhelmed.
As Saturday was the Sabbath Day in Jewish custom, no one visited the tomb. Instead, the disciples and followers remained behind closed doors.
Easter morning, the miracle is revealed.
The Gospel of John tells us that Mary Magdalene was the first person to arrive at Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning. Scripture tells us she found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. She then ran to tell Peter and John, who went to the tomb to see for themselves. They indeed found it empty. They knew what Jesus had told them, knew He’d promised to return after three days. I can only imagine what they must have been feeling. Dare they believe?
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene.
I’ve often marveled that Mary Magdalene was the first to see the Risen Lord. Then again, after Jesus had saved her, she remained a faithful servant, staying by His side until the end. I like to imagine Jesus sought to comfort her as she stood weeping outside His empty tomb. But also, because He knew she would faithfully carry His words back to the disciples.
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
This Holy Saturday, may we wait with joyful hope, trusting that God is at work, even in darkness.
Death Could Not Hold Him
The stone was rolled away
when she went on the third day.
An angel stood instead
at the graveside of her dead.
“Why are you weeping?
Who is it you are seeking?”
“They have taken Him away.
I do not know where He is laid.”
“Do not look for Him inside.
That is not where He abides.
For He has conquered death.”
Sin could not defeat Him.
Darkness could not contain Him.
Death could not hold Him.
Your Redeemer Lives.
By His wounds we have been healed.
The covenant is sealed.
He was sent, not to condemn.
But to save the souls of men.
That whoever believes in Him
is forgiven of their sins.
And by His sacrifice,
will be born into New Life.
Sin could not defeat Him.
Darkness could not contain Him.
Death could not hold Him.
Our Redeemer Lives.
JN Fenwick (© 2026)
JN Fenwick | mothjournal14 | ©2026 | All rights reserved. | I DO NOT WALK THIS RECOVERY JOURNEY ALONE.
I’m JN Fenwick
Wife, mom, but more importantly, a recovering alcoholic with a grateful heart. For years, I struggled, not just with alcohol, but with an eating disorder and the burdens of guilt and shame. On March 22, 2018, I surrendered my life to Christ. I was 51. God did not forsake me. He welcomed me, as undeserving as I am. He did not see my brokenness. Instead, He saw my potential. My Recovery Journey is one of Faith. From the ashes of my failures, God built a fire in me. A fire that guides each step I take. My journey is yours. My healing can be yours, too. God is a mighty warrior. You can take comfort in the promise that the Lord will fight for you and grant you peace.
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