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April 6th, 2009It’s sandwiched in between “Good” Friday and “Easter” Sunday, but nobody gave it a name. So maybe we should call it “Silent” Saturday. Whenever I read the Gospels, I always try to put myself into the story– the emotions, the experiences, the questions. I’ve thought a lot about that Saturday. What was it like to be one of the apostles or the faithful women that were always with Jesus? Must have been a really tough day.
On one hand you are dealing with crushed dreams. For four years you have 24/7 been with the One you thought was going to be the Messiah. But that dream died on a cross yesterday. The confusion, the sadness must have been overwhelming. But it isn’t just crushed dreams that you’re encountering; you are also processing a crushed relationship. How could a guy who had been with you all these years– had broken bread, preached the Gospel, even performed miracles– become the great betrayer. What happened to Judas? He was a friend and a fellow apostle. How did he do something so evil? Finally, what will you do now? The future was all wrapped up in Jesus, and now Jesus is gone. Saturday must have been really bad. I wonder what they talked about with each other as the day went on. Obviously, not the Red Sox.
Of course today is no different. Sometimes we have our “Good” Fridays– those utterly crushing moments. And some days we have our “Easter” Sundays– days filled with great joy. But more common are the “Silent” Saturdays. Days of confusion (maybe about a crushed dream), days of broken relationships (maybe even betrayal), and days of anxiety (maybe worries about the future). That’s were we live much of life. Maybe that’s why God invented the church. A community of people who could be there to weep with each other through the “Good” Fridays, and could share the joy of “Easter” Sundays. But also a family that is there to walk each other through the confusion, sadness, and anxiety of the “Silent” Saturdays of life. Let’s face it, Saturday was never meant to be faced alone.
ts
Muffy Tarcold said:
“That’s were we live much of life. Maybe that’s why God invented the church.”
For me there is no “maybe” about it. Even now, I frequently thank God that Kathie was there for me during a crushing moment in our family. I also think about the crushing moments ahead for our country and am comforted by the thought that the eternal relationships we are blessed with at DEC will sustain us all.
Muffy Tarcold said:
“I wonder what they talked about with each other as the day went on. ”
He TOLD them several times that this was going to happen - I wonder if they had ANY recollection of that on Saturday. It would appear, based on their hopelessness, that they remembered NONE of it. I guess It’s pretty much the same for us when we get all wigged out - in obvious disregard to His promises and warnings to us.
terrysharbaugh said:
Muffy, this is one of the really brain numbing aspects of the Gospels– how clueless the apostles were concerning the things Jesus told them. I wonder how often we are the exact same way. Going through life thinking we “get it”, but then finding out how far off base we really are. The joy of being human :).
ts