Holy Saturday: The Garden Tomb

As I enter this time of prayer, I repeat the words of Psalm 40:1, slowly, several times, making them my prayer to God:

‘I waited patiently for the LORD;

he turned to me and heard my cry.’

Pause and repeat

Pause to read the passage John 20:11, 14–16

‘The first words of the new covenant are a question. Not an announcement, not an answer, but a quietly considerate question addressed to a weeping woman: “Why,” Jesus wants to know, “are you weeping?” And for anyone like Mary, anyone like you and me, who has journeyed through the darkness of Maundy Thursday and the despair of Good Friday to reach this garden tomb, it’s a stupid question. But it’s also a profound question and, with hindsight, even a funny one too. Jesus, the God you may confuse with a gardener, simply speaks Mary’s name. Easter dawns with a question and a name’*

As Jesus approaches, what question do I hear Him asking me? And what expression do I see on His face as He speaks my name?

Pause and reflect

Thank You, Lord, that You know my name, see my tears, and care about my story. Please open my eyes to see You today in the people I meet. And teach me to ask the kind of questions that unlock their hearts.

Pause and pray

As I bring this time with God to a close, I pray:

Like Mary at the tomb, I’m here to worship through tears.

Like Mary, I hardly dare to hope that I might ever see You, hear You, touch You again.

Living Lord Jesus, let me hear You speaking my name.

Amen.

*Pete Greig, God on Mute, David C Cook, (Colorado Springs, 2020), p250