“On Holy Saturday, the hopes and prayers of every disciple lay dashed and broken in the grave. But God did nothing. Said nothing.” Pete Greig, God on Mute
Terrified. Jesus’ disciples were terrified. With hearts racing, each of them trembling with fear. So many questions filled their minds. Was Jesus really who he claimed to be, the Son of God? Was what he showed and taught them really true, or was he just another teacher? Had they really witnessed his brutal execution? Jesus’ disciples found themselves facing these questions immediately following his crucifixion. After spending three years witnessing his miracles and being changed by him, they were facing the harsh reality that he was dead and buried in a tomb. The Saturday following his crucifixion, also referred to as Silent Saturday, had to be the longest, darkest day of each of their lives. So many questions. So many fears. What was next?
As if that wasn’t enough, they were being pursued by both the Roman authorities and Jewish religious leaders who had crucified Jesus. The Saturday following his death, Jesus’ close followers were feeling both helpless and hopeless. Little did they know that God was still at work, even in the midst of this tragic situation; that their pain, fear, and heartbreak was part of his greater plan to bring lasting hope and eternal life to the entire world.
For on the next day, Jesus would rise from the dead and reveal himself to each of them. He would build his church through them, as they proclaimed who he is and what he did all over the world. He would command them to do so boldly and fearlessly, assuring them that he would always be with them. This empowered them to boldly proclaim Jesus all over the Roman Empire. They would make thousands of new disciples in places no one thought possible. In the face of persecution and fierce opposition, they prayed, loved, and served as he commanded. In the time following his resurrection, Jesus’ church would be built and expanded, and still is all over the world. Even though each of them faced dark moments of being imprisoned and executed for his name, his followers were not shaken.
This shows us that even in our darkest moments, God is still with us and at work. Each of us face circumstances where we feel helpless, overwhelmed, and hopeless. This pandemic has magnified our difficulties and challenges, yet our current frustrations do not have to be the end of the story. Even though God doesn’t operate according to our timetable, he is still with us and working. Psalm 23:4 says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.”
Jesus himself told his disciples before his death that “In this life you will have many troubles but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
What we see is that God does not operate on our American timetable of instant gratification. As we wait on him, he does not leave us. We can find ourselves like Jesus’ disciples full of fears, doubts, and questions. It is critical that we remind ourselves of his promises and celebrate the way he’s already shown his goodness and faithfulness in our lives. These hardships are things we don’t have to be afraid to share with him and one another. Each of us has the choice to magnify our circumstances or magnify Jesus, who is far greater. This doesn’t mean we have to deny the pain and frustration, yet he is inviting us to give him our burdens, and trust him to pull us through. Jesus has modeled this trust for each of us. Even though he was facing death, he still trusted his Father.
You may be facing the loss of a loved one, a job layoff, or the painful heartbreak of a failed relationship. In the darkness of this moment, you may be feeling much like Jesus’ disciples on the Saturday before his resurrection—helpless and hopeless, waiting. Jesus, trusting his father to the point of death, shows us that God does his best work in hopeless situations. These dark moments are part of a greater story that God is writing through each of us.
What would happen if we sought to know him in all seasons? By spending time in prayer and reflecting on scripture at all times, we are reminded of his promises and goodness. We don’t have to wait to hit our lowest moments to seek him. Jesus was always pulling away to be with his father. When we do this, our identity and confidence is fully in him. This builds our constant trust and reliance on him at all times, no matter the season or event. So, “take heart for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).