So they took His body down. The man who said He was the Resurrection and the Life was lifeless on the ground now. The sky was red as blood along the blade of night. As the Sabbath fell they shrouded Him in linen — they dressed Him like a wound. The rich man and the women, they laid Him in the tomb.
Virtually the only thing we know about what happened on the Saturday after Jesus was crucified is that his followers honored the Sabbath. They rested. In their grief and hopelessness, they didn’t even prepare his body — they laid him in the garden tomb covered with linen, the barest minimum preparation they could get by with, before the tomb was sealed by guards. And then it was sabbath and silence and …nothing.
Did they gather around tables and grieve together? Did the women hold Mary, promising to take the spices first thing in the morning, to preserve Jesus’ body? Did someone make a hot meal or could no one eat?
For us, the quiet of that sabbath rest after Jesus’ death is of course set in the context of what we know is coming: a glorious Sunday morning resurrection and the fulfillment of all Old Testament promises. But for those first mourners, it was a restless silence.
Many of us know what that is like: a sense of silence that makes us wonder if God was ever present to begin with. When we have been praying and pleading with God and heaven’s answer is…nothing. It’s the valley of the shadow of death day after day, wondering when the “He quiets my soul, leads me beside still waters” [1] part is coming.
If you’re in that season of silence or waiting — hold fast. Don’t lose heart or hope that God will make himself apparent to you again in the right time. Remember what you’ve heard and learned on the mountain and know that it accompanies you in the valley, when the Good Shepherd seems absent. Remember that God’s love isn’t altered by our perception of it.
His nearness is a promise, even in the silence.
You’re no more alone than the disciples were, as they hid away from the crowds.
You’re no more alone than Mary, being cared for by the disciple whom Jesus loved.
You’re no more alone than the women preparing what they needed to return to the tomb in the morning.
Silence doesn’t have the final say any more than the tomb did.
Because the work was finished and God would keep his promises, just as He always had. Just as He always will.
TO READ:
Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 52:13-15
The Pharisees Fear: Matthew 27:62-66
The Tomb: John 19:38-42
From the psalms: Psalm 13
TO MEDITATE:
Consider setting a timer for 3-5 minutes and sitting in the quiet with the Father. No agenda, no prayer list. Hold a silence in the presence of God and breathe slowly and deeply.
Thanks for being here, friends. We’ll be celebrating tomorrow! 🫶🏽
PS: Are you coming to our Grace family Easter celebration on Sunday? Get the scoop: