Resurrection: Hope in the Midst of SufferingSample

The disciples were often at the edge of their seats to take action. They were ready to admonish those who cast out demons apart from their group, rain fire from heaven, dismiss the crowds and even defend their Teacher in the Garden. They assumed that as close followers of the Messiah they should obviously step up to the occasion and help out. They were ready to act, until the crucifixion.

Contrary to all anticipated possibilities, their Messiah died at the hands of the pagan colonizers rejected by their fellow countrymen. Now what could His disciples possibly do? Well, nothing. And so they did nothing. There’s no record of His disciples even receiving His body! Maybe they felt apathetic towards doing anything. What was the point anyway? While they rested the enemy mobilized guards and an imperial seal.

In fact, they had to do precisely nothing. The matter moved into a territory beyond their reach. Wedged between two of the most monumental days in cosmic history lay a silent Saturday that bore much significance: the sign of Jonah. Some have come away thinking Jesus could not have died because Jonah was alive in the belly of the fish. But Jonah died and came back to life. He descended to the belly of “Sheol” which across OT refers to the realm of the dead. His “life faded away” and was “raised from the Pit”. Christ's death had to be certain for His Resurrection to be vindictive. A half-dead man supposedly coming back to life doesn’t do much to galvanize timid followers to stare down death.

What they should’ve done was remember His promise of Resurrection and greet Him on Sunday. But fear and worry of a hopeless tomorrow overcame any vestige of faith. Do we not resonate with them? Even after knowing that our Redeemer lives we often relapse to bolting our doors thinking nothing remains to be done. But much believing is to be done. Much faith to be exercised. It may look like nothing but it will be the difference between you greeting the Lord jubilantly or you hiding away missing out on praising Him. So let us wait the right way during our silent Saturdays. Soon the dawn will crack through heralding victory.

Application questions:

• Reflect upon the sovereignty of God in play throughout the Silent Saturday.
• Take a moment to introspect your life: Do I continue to act as one without the hope of a Risen Redeemer during days when God seems silent?
• Surrender yourself in prayer, and seek grace from God to believe earnestly and have bold faith during your silent Saturdays.