Let’s take a moment to meditate on this Good Friday we are celebrating. Described in Scripture, and evenly graphically depicted on the screen in movies, we see and feel the price of our sin: ridiculed, spit upon, flesh torn off by flogging, bloody footprints leading to a hill, nails piercing into strong wood, friends and family desperate, sobbing. What true and horrific character this Friday has! How can we recover from seeing suffering like that!?
Because Christ told us we could. He promised the hope of Sunday Morning!We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
As believers, we can look at all the tragedy and torture of Friday, and then look right past it to Sunday morning, where our Hope comes alive! Hope in Christ’s resurrection is for us! We will gather tonight for our Good Friday worship service NOT because of the events of Friday. Rather, praise will be sung because of the Truth we know comes out of that tomb on Sunday morning.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4
With all the hope of Easter Sunday in our hearts, let’s talk about our Monday. The hope of eternity with God through Christ’s sacrifice doesn’t end on Sunday night. Does that seem obvious? Then let us be on our guard to take that to heart and live accordingly. The Mondays of the world will present us with “wars and rumors of wars”: destruction, torture, death, deception, disease, injustices unimaginable. These are the world’s sinful hallmarks that we know are defeated. Let us all look past the coming trials, obediently serving Him who redeems us with “rolled up sleeves” and joyous hearts, until that day when Christ calls each of us Home to be with Him.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him. 2 Peter 3:14
I pray that we all remember the promise of eternity that we can have through Christ and live today in anticipation. Sunday is comin’!
FROM THE ELDERS—Joe Moore