Silence In The Tomb
by Maggie Tan
More than two thousand years ago, Jesus was crucified and His body was placed in the tomb from Good Friday till Easter Sunday. The day between these two days is now known as the Holy Saturday. However, I would like to call it the Silent Saturday. I can imagine how silent and afraid the disciples must have been on that Saturday. Their Messiah was crucified the day before, and right now, His body, wrapped in a linen shroud, laid lifeless in the tomb. The one who was supposed to save Israel was dead, and all hope was gone.
We frequently talk about the crucifixion of Jesus and then we jump right into the topic of his resurrection. We hardly talk about or ask the question of what happened in the silence of the tomb. What did Jesus do from Good Friday till Easter Sunday?
Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3:19-20 told us that Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison. Though there are many theological debates as to what this means, I did not write to discuss them. This article is to share my experience with the silence in the tomb.
Late last year, I went through an extremely challenging situation in my family. Unknowingly, this led to the exposure of deep heart issues that I had buried away for many years because I did not have the capacity to deal with them. I did not realize it, but this whole burying episode over the years had drained me. Though I live, yet a part of me was slowly fading away. During this challenging time, I felt God inviting me into a season of being silent before Him. This invitation was confirmed through a pastor when she shared a message about Jesus lying silent in the tomb. As an intercessor, I felt God said to me, “Cease intercession and let every voice be silenced.” In the comfort of constant noise and activities, being silent is uncomfortable and disturbing. I concurred with Henri Nouwen when he prayed this:
“It is so hard to be silent, silent with my mouth, but even more, silent with my heart. There is so much talking going on within me. It seems that I am always involved in inner debates with myself…But these inner debates reveal how far my heart is from you. If I were simply to rest at your feet and realize that I belong to you and you alone, I would easily stop arguing with all the real and imagined people around me…Give me, O Lord, that silence.”
– Henri Nouwen: Writings Selected with an Introduction by Robert A. Jonas.
Before I was even able to enter into this silence, I had to allow death to take place. I could not enter into the tomb if I was not wholly dead – dead to my dreams, hopes, and loved ones that I hold precious to my heart. Matthew 10:37 “… if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” One by one, each precious loved one, a godly dream, a godly hope, even my right to myself, was placed at the cross, crucified.
Nouwen, in his same prayer mentioned above, also prayed this way: “… I know that in the silence of my heart, you will speak to me and show me your love … Let me be patient and grow slowly into this silence in which I can be with you. Amen.” In the three months of being silent in the tomb, Nouwen’s prayer became my constant prayer. In the silence of my mouth and of my heart, I was able to hear God’s voice so clear. He answered every question and doubt that I had in my heart that I had never asked Him. He faithfully assured me again and again of His love for me.
At the end of this season of silence, I was so ready for resurrection. I read Lazarus’ encounter in John 11 and I knew that I was going to be resurrected just like Lazarus. Everything was laid down at the feet of the cross and God had given me the assurance of his love through the pain of surrender. I felt that I was ready for resurrection, so I jumped back into what I was doing before with excitement.
However, within a week of being out of the tomb, I crashed. Deep heart issues that I had buried away began to surface. I was shaken by my brokenness. I could not handle it. However, my loyal friends were with me when this happened. One of them shared with me this insight found in John 11:44, “And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”” Yes, I was resurrected, but I came out bound in graveclothes and headcloth. Jesus called for those people around Lazarus to unwrap him. Likewise, I believe Jesus has sent these friends who are like family to me to help unwrap me. The graveclothes and headcloth of heart issues had to be removed, layer by layer until my whole being was set free to be fully alive to believe the words Jesus said to Martha:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying…Do you believe this, Martha?” – John 11:25-26.
Yes, Lord, I believe. Because you live, I can face tomorrow.
And so, coming back to that first fateful Silent Saturday, the disciples were grieving and weeping (Mark 16:10), for they thought all hope was gone. Then when told by the women that Jesus is risen from the dead, the eleven disciples and everyone else did not believe them. The women’s encounter sounded like nonsense to them (Luke 24:10-11).
“Sunday evening came, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they are afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.” – John 20:19.
“…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:6