In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. 2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. 3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, 4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.

Psalm 31:1-4

What did Jesus do, if anything, on Saturday as his body laid in the tomb? Where did Jesus go after his death and before his resurrection? We are not sure. Some believe he rested. And who deserved rest more after a week of anguish and three years of non-stop ministry. Others believe there was business left undone. The letter of 1 Peter seems to suggest that Jesus had one more sermon to preach. This time it would not be in Jerusalem or Galilee but in sheol which is the place of the dead.

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

1 Peter 3:18-20

Holy Saturday Collect

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so may we await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer