Friday of Gloom Sunday of Glory Matt. 27:33-37, 43 Matt. 28:1-6

On the day of the Lord’s crucifixion, things looked dark for humanity, but one must look beyond the Friday of gloom…

…after the Friday of gloom, hope was born as the Sunday of glory began to emerge as the Lord was raised from the grave. …after the Friday of gloom, hope was born as the Sunday of glory began to emerge as the Lord was raised from the grave.

WE HAVE THE FRIDAY WHEN TRUST SEEMS FUTILE From a human stand- point, trust that Jesus had in God seemed to be a futile thing. The skeptics said: “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now” (Mt. 27:43).

Just because God did not meet their timetable does not mean His trust was not well placed. They said “…let him deliver him NOW.” But there was the Sunday to come!

That day would reveal the true value of His trust in God. That day would show that God is not limited by man’s thinking. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts…nor are your ways my ways…So are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).

When Friday seems not to go away… “Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand…” (Eph. 6:10-11). “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9).

“…do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thess. 3:13). “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord…Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (Jas. 5:7-8).

WE HAVE THE FRIDAY WHEN EVIL SEEMS TO BE IN CONTROL… The events of that day would lead one to believe that evil was on the throne and good was forever crushed. Would righteousness ever rise again? We wonder if evil will forever be the popular cause!

Sunday is coming when righteousness will reign again and when the lifetime of right living will pay dividends far beyond our expectation. “…be steadfast, immov- able, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). When evil tries to control us:

“Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21-22). “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you…” (Jas. 4:7-8). “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” (1 Tim. 6:12)

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…Do not be overcome by evil, but over- come evil with good” (Rom. 12:1-2, 21)

WE HAVE THE FRIDAY WHEN GOOD PEOPLE FEEL LONELY… Very few around the city of Jerusalem dared to stand very tall alongside the Son of God on that dark Friday. Most of the people near the cross were enemies not friends. Some of His disciples fled in fear and good people stood alone.

Mary must have felt betrayed as well when witnessing the treatment of her Son who had helped so many. It was predicted that Jesus would experience being alone in His death: “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me” (Isa. 63:3).

The hopes of many would be revived by the good news of His resurrection. This lonely Friday would pass as the glorious resurrection Sunday would arrive. Their hopes were fueled by the many promises that He made that He would live again.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...You have heard me say to you, I am going away and coming back to you... And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, ye may believe” (Jn. 14:27-29).

What to remember when lonely Friday comes our way: “Be content...For he himself said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5). “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me” (Ps. 23:4).

The Father does not want even one of His lambs to be on the hillside alone (Mt. 18:12). Jesus “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin...Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).

AN OCCUPIED CROSS BROUGHT SADNESS AND GLOOM TO ALL WHO LOVED, KNEW, AND HOPED IN HIM.

AN EMPTY CROSS MADE FOR A GLORIOUS SUNDAY AND TURNED DARK FRIDAY INTO NOTHING BUT A MEANS TO AN END! AN EMPTY CROSS MADE FOR A GLORIOUS SUNDAY AND TURNED DARK FRIDAY INTO NOTHING BUT A MEANS TO AN END! So, we are “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...” (Heb. 12:2).

“That Where I Am, There You May Be Also” Jn 14:3b