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Day

40

It Could Not Hold Him

Lent 2023

Read Romans 1:16 & Romans 8:28–39

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Today is Holy Saturday. On this day, Jesus was in the tomb. This day reminds us that we all have our own tomb in our future. Death is an impending and imposing reality for all of us. We try to avoid it. We try to hold it at bay. But one day, sooner or later, our death will come. However, we who know Christ and his victory also know that death will not have the final word for those who walk by faith. The grave is not our final destiny. That is why we can live each day with confident hope. That first Holy Saturday led to a glorious and amazing Sunday morning. The grave could not hold Jesus. Because of him, it cannot hold us either.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Keep me united with you and prepare me for my own resurrection victory some day. Amen.

Holy Week Icons

President Dr. Michael Thomas guides us through three important religious images that will enhance your experience of Holy Week.

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