Good Friday, Silent Saturday and Resurrection Sunday mark the three most important days in the history of humanity. We will never forget them. How could we?!

But here is something I notice on some level.

At times, we want to rush from Friday right to Sunday. Of course, we gather together for Good Friday services. We remember Christ’s death; we partake of the bread and wine. But, if we’re really honest, many of us believe the good stuff happens on Sunday. That means resurrection; that means life; that means no more death.

While that is most definitely true, and is the defining moment of the Christian faith, we must remember that Friday and Saturday had to take place; they had to be walked through first before Sunday would arrive.

The pain of Friday was part of the journey.

The silence of Saturday was part of the journey.

As a way to fully embrace Friday and Saturday, perhaps we could recall the laments of the psalmists. Perhaps the epic of Job would ring in our minds. Both the Psalms and Job end well – read Psalms 145-150; read Job 42. But we are greatly aware that so much more happens before the end.

The goal is not necessarily to cement ourselves forever within the narrative of Friday and Saturday, for to completely set aside Sunday is just as problematic. But to rush forward may mean we will miss all that shall best lead us to resurrection life. Matter of fact, resurrection life tastes much sweeter following death, grave and silence.

It is an amazing truth that “through the Spirit of holiness [Christ Jesus] was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom 1:4). As the angels announced, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matt 28:6). But let us give space for Friday and Saturday. And as we embrace the reality of Friday and Saturday, we may just find ourselves understanding what it means to embody pain and silence, all that we may effectively interact with a world rooted in deep pain and silence.