To illustrate Holy Saturday — the day in the Christian calendar before Resurrection Sunday — I asked our congregation to hold their breath. If they held their breath for a specified time, there was a reward.
Jesus told the disciples to hold their breath — for three days. Judas Iscariot didn’t even get to ventilate before holding his breath. Peter had a bit of a stutter breath while denying Jesus. Others, like those on the road to Emmaus, held their breath but needed someone to confirm that what they believed could really be true.
Oh yes, I only asked the congregation to hold their breath for 24 seconds. That was way to easy. As a matter of fact, two seniors were still holding their breath well into my sermon — although I think one was turning a bit red!!