Welcome back to the Real Life Overtime Podcast! In this deeply moving episode, Jim Putman, Pat Lessard, Jim Blazin, Gabe Cleave and Christian Putman revisit the final week of Jesus’ life—especially the tension and uncertainty of "Silent Saturday." The conversation centers around the confusing and painful moments the disciples faced, drawing parallels to our own seasons of waiting and silence. Each of the pastors shares personal stories and biblical insights that challenge and encourage us to keep trusting God even when He seems quiet.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t Mistake Silence for Absence
- Silent seasons can feel like abandonment, but God is still present and active.
- "While you're waiting, God is working"—even when we can’t see it, He is shaping us and the situation.
- God is Doing a Work In You, For You, and Through You
- Sometimes God delays action because He is transforming us inwardly.
- Like John Piper says: “God is always doing 10,000 things, and you may be aware of three.”
- Waiting Exposes Our Trust Issues
- In the silence, we are often tempted to take control or doubt God’s goodness.
- These moments are invitations to deeper dependence and trust in God's character.
- Suffering Is Not the Absence of God’s Love
- From the Garden of Gethsemane to the crucifixion, Jesus modeled how to suffer faithfully.
- Romans 8 reminds us that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not confusion, not persecution, not pain.
- Biblical Characters Waited Too
- Abraham, David, Joseph—all waited through hardship before God's promises were fulfilled.
- Their stories teach us to trust God's timing and sovereignty.
- We Need Each Other in the Waiting
- Community is essential: we carry one another’s burdens, remind each other of God’s past faithfulness, and speak truth into each other’s silence.
Discussion Questions
- What “day” are you in right now—Thursday (confusion), Friday (tragedy), Saturday (silence), or Sunday (victory)?
- How have you experienced God’s work during a waiting season?
- In your silence, what lies has the enemy tried to plant, and how do you fight back with truth?
- What are you currently praying for that God hasn’t answered yet? How are you responding in the wait?
- How can you be a source of encouragement to someone else who is in a Silent Saturday season?
Action Steps
- Reflect: Take time this week to identify where you are in your spiritual journey. What does your “Saturday” look like?
- Pray Honestly: Like Habakkuk and David, bring your confusion and pain honestly before God.
- Encourage Someone: Share your story with someone else who might be in a difficult waiting season.
- Invite Others: Use the Easter season as an opportunity to invite someone to church or into conversation about faith.
- Trust God's Promises: Meditate on scriptures that remind you of God's faithfulness, even when He seems silent.
Closing Encouragement
No matter what part of the journey you’re on—celebration, confusion, heartbreak, or silence—God is at work. "Silent Saturday" reminds us that even in the most hopeless moments, resurrection is on the horizon. He is not absent. He is present, loving, and working for your good. Trust Him, walk with Him, and surround yourself with others who will help you stay the course. Sunday is coming.
Scripture References
- Luke 24 (The Road to Emmaus)
- Habakkuk 3
- Psalm 77, Psalm 34
- Romans 8
- 2 Peter 1
- 2 Corinthians 1
- Isaiah 40:31
- Jeremiah 29:11
