Tender, sobering words—and then silence before it all makes sense
By Dean Collins
Seven times Jesus spoke on the day of his death, and then the silence began. None of the Gospel writers record all of the Lord’s last words from the cross. We can speculate about why. My guess is simply that the horror of this moment was viewed from different angles. Each writer kept fragments of this day as he fought to process what he saw.
We can relate. How many times have we experienced a crisis in our family, our city, our nation, and in the world? No one remembers each detail in such times. We can be grateful the Holy Spirit used each writer to help us know these tender and sobering words from Jesus as he gave up his life on the cross. I’ve listed them below for us to consider today.
Words to ponder
Read them out loud. Consider their impact on those who heard them. Ponder how they might form prayers that remind us of our actions and behavior toward the sin of others, the promise of eternal life, our relationships with family, our loneliness in times of struggle, our thirst for God, the reality of what we can and can’t do, and our complete surrender.
1 "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
2 "This day you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
3 "Woman, behold your son." (John 19:26-27)
4 "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46)
5 "I thirst." (John 19:28)
6 "It is finished." (John 19:30)
7 "Into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
The Gospels do not tell us all the reactions from the crowd as Jesus hung on the cross. We know that some scoffed and mocked Jesus. They were proud of their supposed victory, getting rid of this man who interrupted and interfered with their agendas. Others turned their heads in shock, not believing what had just happened to the one they had followed. Some cried tears of grief. Some hid in fear they would be next because of their association with Jesus. Some whispered, “Now what do we do?” All eventually went home and there was silence, long silence, eery silence. We, too, must wait in silence through tomorrow and take it all in.
While we wait
Psalm 62 is a good guide for our silent waiting. In our silence there is only one who can bear it with us and only one who alone can bring healing, understanding, and hope.
Six times in Psalm 62 David referred to God alone and as the only one who could get him through. The psalmist gives emphasis to the opening two verses by repeating these phases and prayers again in verses 5 and 6. David knew what we are learning as well; our hope is in God alone, and today we consider that hope hung on a cross alone for our sins.
David reminds us that power belongs to God as does steadfast love. What we must remember is that when God seems silent, his power and his love continue to move and even shout on our behalf. Even in the silence of the Saturday following the crucifixion, God was at work. The glorious evidence of his work would come soon. His work was enough for everyone and for all time. We will soon celebrate the victory. But today we can meditate and wait in silence and with hope. Assurance will soon come.
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-12; 22:1-2 ESV
Photos by Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash
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