There are three Gospel readings for Holy Saturday. I’m being drawn to write briefly about Matthew 27:63. The Chief Priest and Pharisees call Jesus an ‘imposter’ and then tell Pilate they remember what Jesus said about rising in three days.

These are enemies of his and they remember some of the same things Jesus’ friends do but from an entirely different perspective. You see, Jesus’ friends remember with hope and respect. His enemies remember with disrespect, fear and evil intent.

Sometimes people who are enemies of Jesus eventually ‘Repent and believe in the good news.’ (Those words are spoken by Jesus as he began his ministry.)

I hope, that even if you don’t believe yet, you will attend an Easter Vigil service or an Easter Service. These services are full of stories, of readings from the Old Testament all the way through the New Testament. Stories about God’s redemptive love flowing in generation after generation. This redemptive love is still flowing throughout the world, even though the news broadcasts story after story about enemies of Christians and Jesus Christ. I hope you give Jesus a chance to become a part of your life.

Those of us who do believe in the good news and that Jesus is the son of God should not lose hope of the possibility of other people repenting and becoming believers. Instead of judging them We should be praying for them to repent and be reconciled with God and other people. Intercessory Prayer is very powerful and effective.

When I was a leader of small group ministry I had the honor and privilege of sitting across the table or next to someone who told us they used to try to dissuade people from believing in all that Christian stuff (stronger word used). I’ve prayed with people who had told me for years they didn’t believe and now they do. These stories give us hope and encouragement and people have a desire to tell these stories. I’ve also heard testimonies on the radio and television and read them in magazines.

It is never too late for a person to repent and believe. But why wait until someone is dying, like the thief on the cross who repented, to start sharing the good news of God’s love. Why not share with someone before they are dying? Before they go to jail for a crime they committed (or didn’t commit).

Jesus wasn’t an imposter, he truly was and is and always will be the Son of God, Savior of the world. Let us continue to pray for non-believers to come and investigate and experience what we know and believe. God’s love sustains life from generation to generation on earth and in heaven.

Let us pray,
Lord, thank you for your steadfast love for all people. Thank you for the testimonies and stories about God’s love and desire that are in the Scriptures and those that are being told in our generation. Please pour out your Holy Spirit in abundance upon all of us, especially upon those who do not believe. Give them Lord, a Spirit of Belief that they may share in the work of baptizing people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and in the making of disciples and the teaching of your will. We ask this Lord so that life may be peaceful and fruitful on earth as it is in heaven and for the glorification of your name in our generation and those to come. AMEN