by Alan Langstaff

This is Easter week, the week when we especially remember the events of the last week in Jesus’s life, leading up to Calvary. Yes, there is much to contemplate as we look at the events of that Easter week.

However, as a young person, it always seemed strange to me to call the day that Christ was crucified… GOOD FRIDAY.

At first glance, there was nothing good about a Friday that involved:

  • A betrayal by one of his disciples
  • A mockery of a trial.
  • The long trek to Calvary
  • The excruciating pain of crucifixion
  • The death of our Lord

What is good about “Good Friday”?

Well, it’s good because “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming.”

ITS FRIDAY BUT SUNDAY’S COMING

There is a sermon by that name often related to the ministry of Tony Campolo, but in actual fact, it probably goes back to an earlier part of the 20th Century to Dr. S.M. Lockridge.

David Jeremiah, the well-known Bible teacher recalls it this way relating to another great preacher who used this message.

“The late E.V. Hill was the long-time pastor of one of America’s first megachurches – Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. While many of his sermons are considered classics, none is better known than “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming.” The day Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem was a dark day in the lives of his followers. What would have given them hope on that day was the fact that Sunday- Resurrection Day – was coming.

That is the same hope we can have as we live in a world that on many days seems dark, a world in which the light of hope seems to have been extinguished. But it has not! As Pastor Hill reminded his congregation, “Sunday’s coming!””

THE WORDS TO “IT’S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING”

Well let’s look at the words of the sermon.

“IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! is dedicated to sharing some aspect of death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that speak to this grand theme. The narrative of Jesus crucifixion is one of betrayal. Denial. Cowardice. Envy. Hate. Brutality. Suffering. Despair. Defeat. Death.

Yet, Christians celebrate the cross because the story does not end on that fateful Friday. It does not end at the cross. The irony of the cross is that the very instrument Jesus’ enemies used to defeat Him became His greatest victory. Little did they know when Friday ended what would happen on Sunday. How it would impact the Roman Empire. Change the course of the world’s history. Usher in a new era. And provide for the fallen, sinful human race its greatest hope!…

Just remember that Sunday’s coming! And that you will enjoy the privilege of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Communing with Him and fellow saints. And beginning a new week with renewed vision, vigor and vitality.

I know it’s Friday. But thanks be to God that Sunday’s coming! And now…

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’!”

(-Ken Weliever, ThePreachersWord.com)

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I take this opportunity to wish you a very blessed Easter as Christians around the world celebrate the death and the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let us remember.

Good Friday – the day Christ died for us.
Easter Sunday – the day Christ rose from the dead.

Sunday is coming!
He is Risen!