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Key Bible Verses: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NIV) Dig Deeper: Matthew 12:38-42; Jonah 2

This odd day raises a question: Why is there a Saturday? It doesn't seem to further the story line at all. We might expect that if Jesus were going to be crucified then resurrected, God would just get on with it. It seems strange for God to spread two events over three days.

The Old Testament Scriptures are filled with what might be called "third-day stories." When Abraham is afraid he's going to have to sacrifice Isaac, he sees the sacrifice that will save his son's life on the third day. Joseph's brothers get put in prison, and they're released on the third day. When Esther hears that her people are going to be slaughtered, she goes away to fast and pray. On the third day, the king receives her favorably.

All third-day stories share a structure. On the first day there is trouble, and on the third day there is deliverance. On the second day, there is nothing—just the continuation of trouble.

The problem with third-day stories is, you don't know it's a third-day story until the third day. As far as you know, deliverance is never going to come. It may just be a one-day story, and that one day of trouble may last the rest of your life.

—John Ortberg in Who Is This Man?

My Response: How might reflecting on this "third-day story" model help me keep my troubles in perspective?

Thought to Apply: Holy Saturday: Rest well, indeed. For tomorrow there is work to be done and a grave to be conquered.—N. T. Wright (New Testament scholar, writer)

Adapted from Who Is This Man? (Zondervan, 2012) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Jesus, let this week's readings sink deep into my heart and give me a fresh perspective and new appreciation for your death, burial, and resurrection on my behalf.

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