A BETTER KIND OF SNL
“Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” Most of us are probably aware that SNL stands for Saturday Night Live, a popular TV program. It seems that the news has been very heavy in reminding us that SNL is marking its 50th anniversary this year. SNL has been the springboard for many celebrities who have gone on to make their mark in the world of entertainment. SNL has a large fan base among baby boomers, excluding myself. The show did not appeal to me fifty years ago and does not appeal to me now. This article is not a critique or criticism of the show as much as an appeal for a better kind of SNL.
In order to change direction here I need to change the sense of the word “live.” I am not interested in a live Television program that airs on Saturday nights in real time. I am interested in making our Saturday nights live! That is, live in the sense of being alive! For those who know what matters most in life it means preparing for the next day – the Lord’s Day! It means getting your mind and body ready to get the most out of assembling with the saints on the first day of the week.
Saturday night brings the saints of God to the threshold of being glad with those who say to them, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord” (Psa. 122:1, CSB). Of course this had reference to the Temple in David’s day. We might be permitted to envision, not so a church building, but the gathering of God’s people. And as we ponder this on a Saturday night gladness wells up within us. Or does it?
Some think about it, yes, but not in terms of assembling with the saints. As the sun sets on a Saturday they have no plans of being at Bible class or worship the next morning. The Lord does not live in their hearts. They do not plan, nor do they prepare themselves for worship. Their Saturday nights are dead. They may have a conviction that Bible class is not for them. They do not feel the need for, nor do they want, the growth of knowledge that awaits them. The place for study is not marked in their Bible. Their Bible is not opened in order to read for class the next morning. Their Saturday nights are dead.
They fully intend to be present for Sunday morning worship, but Sunday morning only. Their motive may be nothing more than duty driven. Sunday morning worship is important to them in terms of obligation only. The congregation will not feel the impact of their service in any way beyond their mere presence. Saturday nights do not ignite within them the fire of anticipation for worship and service. Their Saturday nights are dead. This is the way it is with far too many who call themselves Christians. They have never allowed their Saturday nights to live so that they might approach worship on Sunday with their buckets full of anticipation and readiness. Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “I long to see you” (Rom. 1:11). When Saturday night rolls around do we long to see the brethren? If not, our Saturday nights are dead.
We can make our Saturday nights live in eagerness to assemble with the saints on the Lord’s Day. Mark it down as a conviction that you will be in Bible class. If you do that your Saturday nights will live with anticipation. Read your Bible lesson in preparation for class the next morning. Purpose in your heart what your financial contribution will be and prepare it before hand (2 Cor. 9:5). If you know the text the preacher will be using in the sermon read it. Read all around it on Saturday night (if not before). Get to bed at a decent hour on Saturday night. Don’t stay up half the night scrolling on Facebook or Instagram. Turn off the TV and other devices. Put down the phone. Lift up your heart in prayer to God as you pillow your head. Thank him for bringing you to this day. Praise him for the day that is coming. Ask him to bless you with a good night’s sleep and help you not to miss the joys that await you the next morning. That is a better kind of SNL!