网曝门事件

Pastor Randy Speyer, Mission Director

One of my favorite Good Friday sermons is called, 鈥淚t鈥檚 Friday, but Sunday鈥檚 Coming.鈥� I first heard it in a sermon preached by sociologist, author and pastor, Dr. Tony Campolo, one of his most inspirational and well-known sermons. The original sermon has been traced to San Diego, California and Baptist Pastor S. M. Lockridge. Here is just a sampling from :

It鈥檚 Friday鈥� Jesus was nailed dead on a cross. But it鈥檚 only Friday; Sunday鈥檚 coming!

It鈥檚 Friday鈥� Mary鈥檚 crying her eyes out 鈥榗ause her Jesus is dead. But it鈥檚 only Friday; Sunday鈥檚 coming!

It鈥檚 Friday鈥� The disciples are running around like sheep without a shepherd. But it鈥檚 only Friday; Sunday鈥檚 coming!

It鈥檚 Friday鈥� People are saying 鈥渁s things have been so they shall be 鈥� you can鈥檛 change anything in this world.鈥� But it鈥檚 only Friday; Sunday鈥檚 coming!

It鈥檚 Friday鈥� Satan鈥檚 doing a jig saying, 鈥淚 control the whole world.鈥� But it鈥檚 only Friday; Sunday鈥檚 coming!

It鈥檚 Friday鈥� The temple veil ripped from top to bottom -the earth shook- the rocks split and tombs opened. The centurion screamed in fear, 鈥淭ruly, He is the Son of God!鈥� But it鈥檚 only Friday; Sunday鈥檚 coming!

And now, it鈥檚 Sunday. 鈥淭he angel, like dazzling lightning, rolled the stone away exclaiming, 鈥�He is not here! He is risen!鈥�

At the end of the message Tony shouts out:

It鈥檚 Friiidaaaay!

And the whole congregation responds:

But Sunday鈥檚 coming!

On April 5, the U.S. surgeon general said this week is going to be the 鈥渉ardest and the saddest鈥� for 鈥渕ost Americans鈥� lives,鈥� describing the upcoming grim period of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States as a 鈥淧earl Harbor moment鈥� and a 鈥�9/11 moment.鈥� In too many ways, this global pandemic has felt like Friday once again. Darkness and doubt are everywhere. Perhaps you have doubts. Perhaps you could use a reminder.

Let鈥檚 return to that scene for just a moment. Jesus lies in the tomb, his body lifeless. Death has claimed the Giver of life. The blind man. The woman who clutched at his garment. The leper. The demoniac. Each would have traded health for just one breath from Jesus.

Then Sunday arrives. Everything changes. The tomb stands empty. Light and life breathes once again. Hell is overcome by hope. And even in this present darkness, we see glimpses of resurrection. The practice of resurrection involves paying attention and engaging.

This is happening now. Countless acts of goodness, kindness, and heroism are taking place all over as the world battles COVID-19. Amid the darkness, people are out there loving and caring for each other. He is here; He is risen.

Yes, it feels like Friday once again. But be assured, Sunday is coming. Because of the resurrection, everything changes.

About the author: Pastor Randy Speyer is the director of mission and spiritual care at 网曝门事件 Health in Roseville. He has served as ordained pastor and licensed counselor to faith communities for over 30 years, seeking to tell the Jesus story with imagination and wonder.