In Christ Alonestuart Townend and Keith Getty

Every year after Good Friday, we wait. We wait all through the next day, Saturday. When I was little, we called it Holy Saturday. For the life of me, I could not figure out why it was holy. I understood that we were waiting for Easter, but why was it holy? As I grew older, I learned that Saturday has a variety of names including the Vigil of Easter. We wait every year for the next day when we commemorate Christ’s resurrection. Without the resurrection, Christi’s sacrifice would be the end not the beginning. And so, we wait. We wait for Christ to break the final chains that kept us in bondage to sin. The promise is there in Jesus’ last words- “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “Itisfinished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30) Tonight a new day will dawn, and the promise will be fulfilled, just as He said it would be.

Mark 15:42-4742

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached,43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.44Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.45When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.46So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

In Christ AloneStuart Townend and Keith Getty

2002

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live,

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand