Think about the day between Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. It had to have been a grueling day for his followers. The previous afternoon they had witnessed the horrible events of his death on the cross. Their last moment with Christ was his brutal death on a God-forsaken hill! The last words they heard their Lord say was, “It is finished.” [John 19:30] Was that it? They believed he was the Christ of God, [Luke 9:20] but what happened?
What was that day like for the disciples? We know they were in hiding with the doors locked. [John 20:19] What were their prayers like? Did they pray? Did they feel foolish for believing up to that point in Jesus? Did they argue with one another? I imagine they were mostly speechless. It’s hard to speak when you’re grieving. It’s even harder to speak when you are grieving with no hope.
That day was the Sabbath. Normally a day of rest…but not this time. This time it was a day of shock, fear, trembling…and disbelief. Scripture specifically tells us the disciples had a belief problem. When the disciples were told that Jesus had risen, they responded with unbelief:
11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. [Mark 16:11]
11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. [Luke 24:11]
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. [John 20:8-9]
The disciples must have been devastated because of their unbelief! Why didn’t they understand the Scripture? Jesus spoke specifically about his death and resurrection…three times! Mark was inspired to record:
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. [Mark 8:31-32]
31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise. 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask hiim. [Mark 9:31-32]
32 And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” [Mark 10:32-34]
Why didn’t they believe? Why weren’t they excited about the incredible day that tomorrow would be? Why weren’t they worshiping and preparing for the fulfillment of the promises?
THE SILENCE WAS DEAFENING!
God chose to be silent for the duration of that day. There was no Jesus (yet), no Holy Spirit (yet), no angels, no burning bushes, no communication at all. Silence.
The silence of God tests a man’s faith like nothing else. I can identify with the disciples so clearly. I, too, struggle with unbelief when God is silent. My faith (like the disciple’s faith) is too often influenced by my momentary circumstances. I allow my circumstances to block my vision of the promises of God that he revealed to me in the Scriptures.
By Andrew Peterson
It’ll drive a man crazy, it’ll break a man’s faith
It’s enough to make him wonder if he’s ever been sane
When he’s bleeting for comfort from Thy staff and Thy rod
and the heaven’s only answer is the silence of God
Are you living in a time of God’s silence? How is it impacting your faith? Your prayer life? Your peace? Let us never forget that He is faithful to fulfill all His promises to their fullest! Tomorrow is coming…believe!
Tomorrow’s post: The Greatest Day!
