Between the Cross and the Tomb

The Second Day

Yesterday I set out late afternoon to work in my garden as the upcoming spring reached sudden temperatures of 81 degrees.  I have pleasant memories of gardening with my great-grandparent’s neighbor Mrs. Shaw which led me to duplicating my own “bit of earth” seeding corn, tomatoes, pole beans and many pansies along a fence in our backyard.  I was the shadow of my grandfather learning how to prune rose bushes, shrubs and care for orchids.  A love for gardening remains a strong preference in regards to how I spend my quiet time at the end of the day.  I’ve often wondered why that is and have come to the conclusion gardening brings me to my knees.  On my knees I marvel at the truths made known to me as I tend to His creation.

Easter week, a holy week.   I remember, when growing up, my brother and I were not allowed to play between noon and 3 PM.  We were to meditate on Christ’s death on the cross, His suffering.  However, there was always the anticipation of Sunday because Jesus was no longer dead and buried, but risen.   A message preached long ago by Pastor Shadrach Meshach Lockridge has become, over the decades, a legendary saying when life seems hopeless…a reminder… “It may be Friday; but, Sunday is a comin’!”

Sunday is a Comin’

                                                                                                                        S.M. Lockridge

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’!

We live in the realization of that hope, the hope of the risen Christ.  However, today as I kneeled in my garden pulling weeds I suddenly thought upon how there is a focus on Thursday evening as Christ ate His last supper with His disciples, the mockery, lashes and crucifixion on Friday and resurrection on Sunday.  At the time, those who followed Christ could only see He was dead.  Even after being witness to His countless miracles, the followers of Jesus did not fully understand He would literally rise from the dead. It had not happened yet.  Did they even remember, on this second day, Jesus’ words of living again, of His being raised from the dead?  We get the impression they went into hiding.  They must have been incredibly frightened, disillusioned and confused.  Peter dealt with his denial, in shame, I am sure.   Pausing, I absentmindedly thought “Jesus spent today in hell.”  Repeating, this time out loud, I whispered “Today Jesus went to hell….so I would not have to.”  Sitting back on my feet I realized the time between Christ’s arrest and His appearance at the tomb, the second day, has significance as well. 

In Philippians we read that “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth.”  In fulfillment of His mission, when Jesus died as man experiences death He went to the “grave” to bring the gospel and redemption to those who died in wait of the Messiah.  He opened the gates of Heaven for the faithful who died before Him.   He is truly victorious over the power of the devil.   He has loosed the chains of death and paid a debt we could never make good on.  We have been bought with a high price and given a gift of eternal life.  He has come, He has risen and He will come again.  We live in the promise of His resurrection, restored back to God.  All who believe Jesus Christ is Lord shall not experience death, but life in the presence of God, for all time. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above all heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost - Louis Bourgeoius.

 

PRAY, CONSIDER, RECEIVE, SHARE 

     Please PRAY for that the hearts of people turn towards Christ and be guided by the Holy Spirit.  The world has become more uncertain than ever.  Matthew 24:6 repeats the words of Christ that tells us in the end times we will hear talk of war and rumors of war.  He goes on to say that we are not to be troubled because these things must come to pass.  People go about their daily lives without assurance, searching for comfort in a world that cannot possibly provide it.  We live in a country where churches sit on every corner.  Bibles are sold openly and given freely.  We can pray in public establishments and speak the name of Jesus without fear of persecution.  Let us not take that for granted but use such liberty to live out the gospel to those around us.  Let us be a witness through how we live our lives. 

            For those in Christ, our confidence comes from knowing God’s redemption plan restores us back to Him.  It is there we find ultimate peace in knowing Jesus brings salvation to all who will receive.   Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life.  Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God.  Seek the Way.  Learn of Truth.  Choose Life.   Please PRAY that people develop a hunger and thirst to know more of Jesus.  Pray hearts open to hear the Good News of God's plan to reconcile all creation back to Him through His Son Jesus Christ.  Pray for spiritual growth with the people of America, that they embrace their faith in Jesus, fully trusting in Him.  Pray that those in Christ boldly live out their faith for others to see, a living witness to God’s grace and mercy.  May we all not just believe in Jesus, but believe Him.

     Please CONSIDER giving, through donations or volunteer service locally within your own community, fulfilling the Great Commission through service to the poor and neglected people of our country and other regions worldwide. 

     RECEIVE the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner He guides you in. 

    Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in developing their faith in Christ and serving his or her "neighbor". 


PRAYER REQUESTS

Please keep Noel, Mindy and their unit in prayer as they are in Afghanistan to the end of the summer.

Please keep Bethany in prayer for healing in her upcoming back surgery in May.

Pray for those out of work or potentially facing unemployment. 


To hear Pastor Lockridge's Sunday's a Comin' message:
Go to:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-OaS3_vUu0