"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15
As we ponder the weight of Christ's sacrifice on the cross this Good Friday, I heard something from a brilliant professor last night that I wanted to share. Many times in our lives we find ourselves in a dry place, we pray and plead for what is on our hearts, and sometimes we don't hear the voice of Jesus at all. We are lost with how to accept this silence. Is it a no? Is it a wait? Sometimes we take it as Christ ignoring us for straying from him. In whatever circumstance we face we are lost for words on how to accept the silence of God.
Dr. Carmen Butcher, an amazing former professor of mine at Shorter University, shared last night that even Christ himself experienced the silence of God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew- 26:39. And what followed, even for Christ our Savior, was the silence of God.
Dr. Butcher also pointed out how uncomfortable and even scary silence can be to us. We live in a world dominated by technology. Silence is something that bothers us as people. We have to have music, a ceiling fan, the television. Something. So when God is silent in our lives, how much more are we scared and uncomfortable? Yet, in the midst of the silence Christ prayed that the Father's will be done.
When we experience such silence in our lives when only need remember that the Son of God experience this silence, too. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. How many times have we been discouraged by the silence of God? How many times has that lead us to have doubts and worry? In this times of darkness and dryness, let us remember that Christ Himself experienced the silence of God. That is crazy to think about. God Himself in flesh, experienced this silence. And he gave us the perfect example of how to react to it. "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
There is a popular television show entitled "True Detective." In this show there is a character named Rust Cohle. This is what he says about that moment at Gethsemane, "I contemplate the moment in the garden, the idea of allowing your crucifixion." As Christ prayed and received this silence, he didn't worry or scream or complain. He got up and he followed God'd will.
How can we ponder the silence of God in our lives? Dr. Butcher added at the end of her talk, "By realizing that Christ is present in the silence." When we feel alone from silence, we must realize that He has been there all along. Sitting with us, crying with us, praying with us, and inviting us to follow the Father. Wherever He leads, I'll go.
"Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay." Ruth 1:16. That's what Christ did and that's what He calls us to do. Be blessed.
