It's Friday, But Sunday's Comin'
The title of this month’s devotional is the title of one of my favorite sermons from a pastor named Tony Campolo. It was in fact drawn from a lesson he heard from S. M. Lockridge. Of course, this message deals directly with the fact that we might face Friday…the day Jesus was crucified, but we know that Sunday’s coming…the day He conquered death and walked out of the grave!
I want to share a bit of that message here –
It’s Friday. Jesus is praying. Peter’s a sleeping. Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. Pilate’s struggling. The council is conspiring. The crowd is vilifying. They don’t even know That Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The disciples are running Like sheep without a shepherd. Mary’s crying. Peter is denying. But they don’t know That Sunday’s a comin’.
It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robe him in scarlet. They crown him with thorns. But they don’t know That Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. See Jesus walking to Calvary. His blood dripping. His body stumbling. And his spirit’s burdened. But you see, it’s only Friday. Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The world’s winning. People are sinning. And evil’s grinning.
It’s Friday. The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands To the cross. They nail my Savior’s feet To the cross. And then they raise him up Next to criminals. It’s Friday. But let me tell you something Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The disciples are questioning. What has happened to their King. And the Pharisees are celebrating That their scheming Has been achieved. But they don’t know It’s only Friday. Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. He’s hanging on the cross. Feeling forsaken by his Father. Left alone and dying Can nobody save him? Ooooh It’s Friday. But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark. My King yields his spirit. It’s Friday. Hope is lost. Death has won. Sin has conquered. and Satan’s just a laughin’.
It’s Friday. Jesus is buried. A soldier stands guard. And a rock is rolled into place. But it’s Friday. It is only Friday. Sunday is a comin’!
Even though this message was given many years ago, and refers to events that occurred over 2000 years ago, it is as timely today as it ever was. We live in a time when it seems the devil is winning. Sin is celebrated and righteousness is scorned. We may feel that everything we have stood for is lost, but it’s only Friday, Sunday’s coming!
As a believer in Christ, I know the significance of the cross. It is the cross where Jesus bore our sins and took the punishment that we deserve. It’s at the cross where everything is brought to the same level. Without the cross, we cannot have God’s redemption. It is important to know though, that the cross was on Friday, and Sunday was Coming! The heart of our faith is that we serve a Risen Savior. Jesus did not stay in the grave. Why is that significant? Jesus overcame death so that we can overcome death by the power of His resurrection.
Jesus told us before he left in John chapter 16:5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come, and lead us into all understanding, 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;.
When our lives seem out of control, He can bring Peace. When it seems the world has lost its collective mind, He brings understanding to us. When you don’t think you can go another day, He will give you the strength to carry on.
So in the world, “IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING!” This message was dedicated to sharing some aspect of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that speak to this grand theme. The narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion is one of betrayal. Denial. Cowardice. Envy. Hate. Brutality. Suffering. Despair. Defeat. Death.
Yet, we celebrate the cross because the story does not end on that fateful Friday. It does not end at the cross. The irony of the cross is that the very instrument Jesus’ enemies used to defeat Him became His greatest victory. Little did they know when Friday ended what would happen on Sunday. How it would change the course of the world’s history. Usher in a new era. And provide for the fallen, sinful human race its greatest hope!
Jesus "was raised because of our justification." Jesus' bodily resurrection on the third day proves that God the Father accepted the sacrifice of His Son as full payment for our sins and the sins of the whole world. ... Instead of being enemies of God, we are reconciled to God (Romans 4:10-11). We can have that same victory over sin and death. We can have power over the world. Remember, in your life, it might be Friday, but if with Jesus Christ in your life, you can know that “Sunday’s Coming”!
God’s Blessings from Pastor Dennis and the Spring of Life Community Church Family Follow us online at www.springoflifecommunitychurch.com or on Facebook at “Spring of Life Community Church – Mayville, MI"