There is a stunned, numb feeling after a loved one dies. One moment there is life, then, in the very next second, there is death. The last breath is breathed in, and then breathed out. And so with the Lord also, as He hung there suspended before the world, He said: "It is  finished" and breathed his last. But only for a short while. Only for a little time.

The death was real, very real. Its cold, icy grip took hold and "Christ lay in death’s strong bands, for our offenses given." Oh, how the host of Hell must have been rejoicing! Imagine their laughter and glee. "I imagine He wishes he had taken me up on my offer, that day three years before, when I held out to Him the world, if He would only bow down and worship." Surely, Satan was shouting that out with glee.

But the "victory" was short-lived. And on Holy Saturday, as we remember that Christ did lay in death’s strong bands, for our offenses given, we realize that the the three strong ancient enemies:  sin, death, and the Devil threaten us as well. We know their cold, stinking breath on the back of our necks. We try to push them away, by excuses or by imagination, comforting ourselves in any way we can. But in the quiet moment of our lives, we know we can not escape.

There is only One who can break us loose from the bondage of sin, and death and hell. Only One whose power undoes what sin has brought. It is to this One that we cling.

Last night we adored the Crucified One on His cross, and today our hearts, minds and souls are filled with prayer, such as this one:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we pray to set your passion,
cross and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour
of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; rest to the
dead in Christ; to your Holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting
life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign,
one God, now and forever.

In but a few short hours the Church will rejoice and shout out again with joy the Easter greeting, but not now. Now we wait, and watch, and we ponder anew on the Holy Passion of our Lord. "See, His blood doth mark our door; faith points to it, death passes o’er, and Satan cannot harm us."

Here is Luther’s mighty Easter hymn, appropriate for Holy Saturday reflection and prayer:

1. Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands,

       For our offenses given;
       But now at God’s right hand He stands
       And brings us life from heaven;
       Therefore let us joyful be
       And sing to God right thankfully
       Loud songs of hallelujah!
       Hallelujah!

       2. No son of man could conquer Death,
       Such mischief sin had wrought us,
       For innocence dwelt not on earth,
       And therefore Death had brought us
       Into thraldom from of old
       And ever grew more strong and bold
       And kept us in his bondage. Hallelujah!

       3. But Jesus Christ, God’s only Son,
       To our low state descended,
       The cause of Death He has undone,
       His power forever ended,
       Ruined all his right and claim
       And left him nothing but the name,–
       His sting is lost forever.
       Hallelujah!

       4. It was a strange and dreadful strife
       When Life and Death contended;
       The victory remained with Life,
       The reign of Death was ended;
       Holy Scripture plainly saith
       That Death is swallowed up by Death,
       His sting is lost forever.
       Hallelujah!

       5. Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
       Whom God so freely gave us;
       He died on the accursed tree–
       So strong His love!–to save us.
       See, His blood doth mark our door;
       Faith points to it, Death passes o’er,
       And Satan cannot harm us.
       Hallelujah!

       6. So let us keep the festival
       Whereto the Lord invites us;
       Christ is himself the Joy of all,
       The Sun that warms and lights us.
       By His grace He doth impart
       Eternal sunshine to the heart;
       The night of sin is ended.
       Hallelujah!

       7. Then let us feast this Easter Day
       On Christ, the Bread of heaven;
       The Word of Grace hath purged away
       The old and evil leaven.
       Christ alone our souls will feed,
       He is our meat and drink indeed;
       Faith lives upon no other.
       Hallelujah!