It's Friday . . . But Sunday's Comin'

It’s Good Friday. Today is the day we take time to remember the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sins of mankind.

The Old Testament contains well over 100 distinct prophecies about Jesus (a conservative estimate) and many of these Messianic prophecies deal with his death and were fulfilled when he was crucified:

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. – Isaiah 53:3

Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. – Psalm 41:9

I told them, ‘If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.’ So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. – Zechariah 11:12

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. – Isaiah 53:7

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. – Psalm 22:1-2

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: ‘He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. – Psalm 22:7-8

I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. – Psalm 22:17-18

Jesus spoke often of his death with the disciples before it took place:

And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. – Mark 8:31-33

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. – Matthew 17:22-23

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” – Luke 18:31-33

Did you notice that Jesus was sure to mention something else? Did you notice that every time he mentioned his death, he also mentioned his resurrection? Every time.

That’s because as important as his death is to God’s plan of redemption for mankind, his resurrection is vital!

Today is Good Friday and we take time to remember Christ’s death. Without it, we wouldn’t have forgiveness of our sins. But it’s also important to remember that without the resurrection, his death is meaningless:

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. – 1 Corinthians 15:17

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

It’s Good Friday, but the best part comes on Easter Sunday.

It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s comin’.