‘It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!’

By Bishop Leonard E. Fairley

“Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13 (NRSVA).

I absolutely love the late Tony Campolo’s story about the preaching contest.

The old preacher tells the polished preacher, “Son, that was pretty good, but let me show you how it’s done.” The old preacher stumbles to the pulpit, and all he says is, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” He says this about three more times growing louder each time. “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” By this time, the congregation and the old preacher are one. The church is on fire with the Holy Spirit.

We have been through the darkness in so many ways. We are suffering from the effects of painful church and denominational trauma.

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.

Jesus has traveled the dark night of his passion. He has suffered the agony of betrayal and the cross. He was placed in a borrowed tomb, and his disciples have scattered. It’s Friday but Sunday’s coming, and we will be reminded again that we are Easter people.

The power of the resurrection rises up into salvation, redemption and reconciliation, making all creation born anew. Although it often feels like Good Friday in our world, we are Easter people, and we know a light that no darkness can put out. We are Easter people.

It has been rightly said, “We have a love that can never be fathomed, a life that will never die, a peace that can never be understood, a joy that can never be overcome, a hope that can never be disappointed, a glory that can never be diminished, a purity that can never be defiled, a wisdom that can never be baffled, and resources that can never be exhausted.”

Friends. there might still be Fridays to come, but “because he lives, we can face tomorrow.”

Mary Magdalene has come from the empty tomb with joy in her heart, shouting “He has risen!” Can you hear her, South Carolina United Methodists?

“It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” The Holy Spirit will give us second wind and touch us with a new fire. Jesus has risen. He is alive!

Jesus has risen, alleluia!