'It is Finished!" This is the powerful phrase uttered from the lips of Christ as he hung on a cross. On this day we celebrate the event behind the power of those last words of Jesus. When Jesus burst forth from the tomb His victory over the powers of sin and death was complete. No longer would sin and death hold the world in their dark shadow. When the stone was rolled away the blinding light of hope, redemption and salvation spilled out into the world and the world would never be the same.
There is power living in light of Sunday. We live knowing the cross was not the end, but just the beginning. The resurrection on Sunday gave us all a new hope, new purpose, and a complete victory over sin and death. On Friday, we took time to remember the darkness of Jesus' death. On that first Good Friday the words 'it is finished' brought grief, uncertainty and despair. But not on this day...
I would love to be able to go back to the day Jesus was hanging on a cross and put my arm around Mary. She was experiencing deep and powerful grief. Her world was crashing in around her as she saw her son suffering and ultimately dying on an execution tool reserved for the foulest of criminals. I wish I could whisper in her ear, "I know your grieving and hurting, I know it's a painful Friday, but Sunday is coming."
I would love to be able to stand before the Disciples as they huddled in fear and questioned everything that had happened over the last three years. They were searching for meaning and trying to make sense out of a senseless situation. Their future was in shambles and they were broken men. I wish I could say to them, "I know you are mourning and confused, I know that this is a Friday that has caused you nothing but uncertainty, but Sunday is coming."
I certainly would love to casually stroll up to the religious leaders as they mocked and laughed at this man hanging on a cross who had taken up so much of their time and energy. They were experiencing the adrenaline high of a victory won and a difficult plan accomplished. They were ready for life to get back to normal: a life where they had the religious power and dictated what the Kingdom of God looked like. I wish I could say to them, "I know you are enjoying your victory today and you better relish in the fact that it is Friday, but....Sunday is coming."
Let us all be reminded that Sunday is HERE. We all will have days and periods of our lives when we feel like it is still Friday, but remember Sunday is here. The man from Galilee has proven Himself to be the promised redeemer of Israel and the world. We live in His victory each and every day. We have a message to proclaim to the world around us; a world filled with those who are grieving, uncertain, confused, hopeless and yes, even some who revel in the belief that God is dead. We have a message for the world: It is no longer Friday, Sunday is Here!
There is power living in light of Sunday. We live knowing the cross was not the end, but just the beginning. The resurrection on Sunday gave us all a new hope, new purpose, and a complete victory over sin and death. On Friday, we took time to remember the darkness of Jesus' death. On that first Good Friday the words 'it is finished' brought grief, uncertainty and despair. But not on this day...
I would love to be able to go back to the day Jesus was hanging on a cross and put my arm around Mary. She was experiencing deep and powerful grief. Her world was crashing in around her as she saw her son suffering and ultimately dying on an execution tool reserved for the foulest of criminals. I wish I could whisper in her ear, "I know your grieving and hurting, I know it's a painful Friday, but Sunday is coming."
I would love to be able to stand before the Disciples as they huddled in fear and questioned everything that had happened over the last three years. They were searching for meaning and trying to make sense out of a senseless situation. Their future was in shambles and they were broken men. I wish I could say to them, "I know you are mourning and confused, I know that this is a Friday that has caused you nothing but uncertainty, but Sunday is coming."
I certainly would love to casually stroll up to the religious leaders as they mocked and laughed at this man hanging on a cross who had taken up so much of their time and energy. They were experiencing the adrenaline high of a victory won and a difficult plan accomplished. They were ready for life to get back to normal: a life where they had the religious power and dictated what the Kingdom of God looked like. I wish I could say to them, "I know you are enjoying your victory today and you better relish in the fact that it is Friday, but....Sunday is coming."
Let us all be reminded that Sunday is HERE. We all will have days and periods of our lives when we feel like it is still Friday, but remember Sunday is here. The man from Galilee has proven Himself to be the promised redeemer of Israel and the world. We live in His victory each and every day. We have a message to proclaim to the world around us; a world filled with those who are grieving, uncertain, confused, hopeless and yes, even some who revel in the belief that God is dead. We have a message for the world: It is no longer Friday, Sunday is Here!
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