It’s Friday Now, But Sunday’s Coming
Some of you have been around long enough to remember that before digital cameras, there was a time when you had to take a picture on film and then develop the film in a dark room. The images on the film were transformed into photographs in the darkness. Out of that darkness came beautiful photographs that brought a lot of joy to us. In Matt. 27:39–40, 45–54; 28:1–10, we see the agony, pain, despair and darkness of Jesus’ crucifixion on what we now call “Good Friday”. That Friday, it looked like all was lost. But thank God the story doesn’t end there. Because the gospel records that God showed up and showed us His power over death and sin. And He gave us the promise and hope of salvation and eternal life in Jesus’ resurrection! I pray that you would know the power of the resurrection in your life, and the power God has to transform your dark days into a glorious new life in Jesus. Amen
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” (Matt. 27:39–40)
As Jesus was dying on the cross, some people insulted and taunted Him, telling Him to come down off of the cross and save Himself to prove that He really is the Son of God. While Jesus had the power to come down from the cross, that was not the will of the Father. His will was that Jesus should bear the sins of the world.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (Matt. 27:45–54)
During this three hour. period of time, darkness covered the land as Jesus became a sin offering for us. The Father who could not be associated with sin, forsook Jesus, leading Jesus to cry out … “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Some who were near the cross misunderstood Jesus’ words and gave Him wine vinegar to moisten His vocal cords, thinking He was calling out to Elijah. Jesus then laid down His life (as He had proclaimed in John 10:18, no one took his life), by giving up His Spirit. And He would take His life up again at the resurrection.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matt. 28:1–10)
Matthew records that early Sunday morning, these women went to the tomb where Jesus was buried. Their purpose was to prepare Jesus’ body properly for burial. But when they arrived there was an earthquake and an angel rolled the stone away that blocked the entrance to the tomb. Besides the women, Matthew identifies that there were also 2 guards there who witnessed and reacted in fear to the power of this supernatural act. The Angel spoke to calm the women and to tell them astounding news “I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen….” The women were invited to see the empty tomb for themselves and instructed to go and tell the disciples what they had witnessed and that Jesus would see them in Galilee.
As the women hurried away from the empty tomb, they encountered Jesus and worshiped Him. Jesus claimed them and reiterated that they were to go and tell His disciples to go to Galilee and there, they would see Him also. Thus these women became the first to see the empty tomb and the risen savior. They were chosen to be the first witnesses of the resurrection and to share the news with others.
what looked like utter defeat and despair on Friday, became overwhelming joy on Sunday. Isn’t that how God works in our lives. Darkness and despair in the hands of God are not the end, but just the beginning of what He is preparing us for. Celebration of Easter and the resurrection should serve to remind us that Jesus has already given us the victory. And even though it may look like Friday in our lives right now, take heart…. Sunday’s coming!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn