Good Saturday

I've been thinking about silence. The Saturday before Easter reminds me that silence is also part of God's plan. I'm sure the disciples were confused on Saturday, but that was their lack of faith and understanding of how God worked. We can look back and we know that the resurrection was imminent, but they didn't see that. This tells me that occasionally silence is part of God's plan. It builds faith and trust.
I was thinking about Ps 131 where David has quieted his heart like a child. I think that is where I need to be when God seems silent. In other words, it's a good idea that if God is silent, I need to be silent. This is a time for child-like trust, not running around worrying and making a lot of noise. When I was a kid there was a ditty that went: "When in trouble or in doubt, run in circles scream and shout." But we all know that never works. God is faithful, that's what we put our trust in.
We know the Good News. On Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and changed all the rules. The resurrection is both a message of victory and a promise. Another day is coming: the Day when Jesus will return. That means that no matter how things look now, personally, in our community, country, or the world at large, nothing can change or alter the great event looming just beyond the horizon. Jesus is coming back. So, can we hold on? Can we be faithful? I think we can. I think when we really grasp the amazing truths that Jesus rose from the dead, and that he's coming back, we can. There is power in these truths. Power and hope. Let me put this another way, if we can't find hope in the resurrection, there is no such thing as hope.
I love the way Tony Campolo puts it in his sermon: "It's Friday, But Sunday's Comin'". If you'd like to watch that, click here.