The Silence of the Lamb
“And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments, and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56
Silence has fallen over the land. The blood of Christ is still dripping off the cross from yesterday’s crucifixion and the hope of redemption is yet to be seen. The darkness lingers. Jesus’ body has been anointed by Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome as was the custom of the time. Emotions are high for the followers of Jesus. Sorrow. Loss. Anticipation. Tears. It begged the question, “Is this really the end?”. The most impactful weekend in history had begun and for now… silence.
Fast forward. All of us know what it’s like to experience “Silent Saturdays”. Undoubtedly, we have all gone through seasons of life when an unexpected turn leaves us thinking, “Father, is this really what you have for me”? In those times, God seems distant, far from us… silent. So, what do we do? How do we handle the lie that God has abandoned us, because let’s be honest, when He appears silent, that’s often what we are thinking. Maybe the question doesn’t need to be “What do I do”, but rather, “What should I do”? In a world of fast food, fast cars, fast cash, and instant gratification, you may not like the answer.
Wait.
You wait.
Be still.
God is always up to something, He is never doing nothing. Lamentations 3:25 promises us that “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” Can I be transparent with you? In 2017, my world went silent. Feelings of hopelessness, loss, and regret brought me to thoughts of suicide. I was in darkness, a deep depression. I was longing for God to do something… ANYTHING. Yet in the middle of my despair, in the midst of my waiting, God gave me Hope.
The same hope that Jesus was convicted of over 2,000 years ago as He took on the cross became available to you and me because of His faithfulness. (Acts 2:27) This hope transcends the temporal. This hope rises no matter what struggles we face in this world. This hope is blessed, it’s perfect, it’s constant. This hope IS Jesus. He is our hope. In the silence, He is working. In the waiting, He is working. When the darkness around us is screaming, our Blessed Hope is whispering, “I’ve got you”. (Titus 2:13).
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Struggles will always be a part of our life here on earth. (John 16:33) But, just as God did not leave Christ in the tomb, He will not leave you in your struggle. I once heard it said, “His silence is not His absence, inactivity is never apathy.” As children of God, we can be confident that He walks with us through the silence, and offers us His peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Believers, Sunday is coming! Just as the followers of Christ were waiting over two millennia ago, so we wait today. Hebrews 10:23 exhorts us to hold fast to the confession of our hope because our God who has promised, is faithful. As we prepare for resurrection day tomorrow, let us begin to fix our eyes on the hope that is to come.
Today’s Easter Bible Reading Plan:
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 | Luke 23:56