It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Easter Sunday will be here in a few short days. Christians all over the world will celebrate our Savior's victory over sin and death. The entire Christian faith is centered on Jesus' raising from the dead. However, we rarely think of Easter without first being reminded of Good Friday. Of course there is nothing "good" about it since that's the day we remember Jesus nailed to the Jewish cross and crucified. There seems to be a theme that emerges from these two events - a sad, devestating event followed by victory and celebration. A terrible loss or tragedy and then a joyful outcome.  

Cross with "I am" sayings

Dr. Tony Campolo shares a great message called "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!" It's a bit dated, but has always stayed with me. This is our message each and every day we live on this earth. 

We're living on "Friday" now. Let me explain.

• It's a Friday when a loved one passes all too soon.
• It's a Friday when we lost our job.
• It's a Friday when we are told we aren't the one.
• It's a Friday when the doctor's report is that the cancer has spread.
• It's a Friday when the bill is due, but our checking account is overdrawn.
• It's a Friday when our children fail to share our beliefs. 

Jesus promised that in this world you will have trouble. He had trouble. Look at what Jesus experienced when on earth. His friends forsook him. He was mistreated. He was rejected. He lost loved ones. And ultimately he experienced an ugly, painful death. 

However, that is not the end of the story. It wasn't the end for Jesus and it's not the end for us! Because Sunday was coming! When Sunday comes, what happens?

• It's Sunday when a loved one accepts Christ as Lord and Savior and is born again.
• It's Sunday when we realize our value rests in God seeing us as sons and daughters.
• It's Sunday when we know we have been chosen by Almighty God.
• It's Sunday when we embrace the eternal life promised to us.
• It's Sunday when we realize our inheritance is immeasurable riches.
• It's Sunday when Jesus conquered death, the grave, and Satan once and for all time!

So as Paul writes to the Corinthian people in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "our light and momentary troubles" do weigh us down, they are nothing in comparison to the "eternal glory that far outweighs them all." The key is in verse 18. We must "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Take heart, because even though today might be "Friday," Sunday's coming!!