"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." [Matt 28:1-6]
Wouldn’t it have been marvelous to participate in that first Easter Sunrise service? Scripture records there were few in attendance that morning. Matthew lists 3: Mary Magdalene, out of whom Christ had cast 7 evil spirits; "the other Mary", identified by Luke as the mother of James; and then there was the angel of the Lord. To this list Mark adds Salome; and Luke speaks of "... certain others .."
I have tried to imagine how these dear ladies felt on that first Easter morning. Undoubtedly they were weary and dreary due to their lack of sleep. Their hearts had been crushed by the tragedy of Calvary. Fresh in their mind was the great suffering of their Teacher, Deliverer, Healer and Friend. Life would be unbearable without the comfort of the One they loved so dearly. The awful scenes of Friday were emblazoned on their hearts.
They rose early this first Easter morning with the sad task of anointing the body of their Master for proper burial. As they approached the tomb undoubtedly fresh on their minds was His brutal treatment at the hands of the cruel Romans. They could hear the cracking of the whip; they could see the flowing of His blood; they could feel the damp, foreboding darkness that covered the earth as it convulsed at the sight of its Creator crucified; and they could smell the sweet spices used to anoint the dead. They were re-living Friday, and so shall we this morning in a message entitled "It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!!" (PRAYER)
SCENE ONE OF CHRIST’S PASSION DRAMA
Unfolds as we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-52; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-11) It is about 1:00 AM on Friday morning. Inside the walls of Jerusalem, the city had begun to come to life. On this night it was common for families to sleep four hours or less so that the joy of Passover could be fully savored.
Not far outside the city walls was a deep green grove of olive trees surrounding a garden known as Gethsemane. It is in that clump of small trees on the opposite side of the Cedron that we first see the figure of a man lying prostrate on the rocks, sweating great drops of blood. We recognize this man as Jesus Christ. It is here that His final great passion begins. Come along into this garden where Christ agonized for you and me. We see Him there -- all alone. This is His time of greatest need. I see Him as he tells His friends: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with me". Yet His friends failed Him. He has invited His Closest disciples (Peter, James & John) to pray with Him, yet they yielded to the flesh and slept. Christ struggles -- His disciples sleep! I can see Him as he struggles alone -- aware of the weakness of His disciples. Truly "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak".
I see Christ as He arose from prayer and walked back to the three sleeping apostles. Now, after His agony of human loneliness he reveals His God-like compassion. "Sleep on now", He said. "Take your rest". He turned to walk away and, through the foliage, He could see the many torches and lanterns of the band that was come to hasten Him to His death. He could hear the clank of metal shields and the murmur of many voices. This band was being led by the traitorous Judas Iscariot.
Jesus turned back to Peter, James and John. "The hour has struck", He said. "Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinful men". They looked up at Him dumbfounded. "Rise! Let us go. Look, my betrayer is close at hand"!!
The predetermined sign employed by the traitor Judas to identify Jesus Christ was a simple kiss on His cheek. This was a common gesture of greeting in the region. Yet Jesus knew the very thoughts and intents of his heart. He looked at His betrayer with eyes of compassion and asked: "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?"
Scripture records that those who came for Jesus "laid their hands on him, and took him. And (Peter) drew a sword and smote (Malchus), a servant of the high priest and cut off his ear". (Mark 14:46,47)
Someone has said that Peter was trying to get a head, but had to settle for an ear!
In the emotion-filled scene that lay before us, we can see the torches flickering wildly in the wind as those nearby Malchus dive for cover away from this wild-eyed, sword-wielding follower of Christ. We can hear the scream of anguish and pain as Malchus puts his hand to the place on his head that once held his ear. We can see the blood ooze from between his fingers as he tried in vain to stop its flow. If we look real closely we can see that small piece of flesh lying at the Master’s feet. As Peter draws back for the kill, Jesus instructs him to re-sheath his sword. "Put up your sword, Peter. They that live by the sword, shall surely die by the sword. If I wanted I could ask the Father and He would send me more than 12,000 angels to fight in my behalf"!! I am reminded of the time in the OT when an angel of the Lord went through the camp of Sennacherib’s army and in one night killed over 185,000 Assyrian warriors. Christ was letting Peter know that 12,000 angels capable of killing over 2.2 billion people stood ready to deliver Him at that moment. However, this would have not solved the sin question! God had another plan and it was to be carried out by the death of His Only Begotten Son!! Jesus realized that His time for deliverance had not yet come. For you see, this was only Friday ---but Sunday was Coming!!
JESUS BEFORE THE JEWISH AUTHORITIES
(Matt 26: 57-68; Mk 14:53-65; Lk 22:54-71; Jn 18:12-24)
Lovingly, Christ reached down, picked up the fallen ear of Malchus and reattached it. On His way to His own death, He was still greatly concerned for the welfare of others!
Scripture records that "... the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him ... and led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled". He was taken there for questioning regarding His claims to be the very Son of God. This tribunal, however was not interested in getting at the truth. They had murder in their heart!! Scripture tells us that "..the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death". They were enraged by His claims; jealous of His popularity; and fearful of His power.
Heis judged by morally-bankrupt spiritual leaders of His day, more concerned with their own welfare than that of the innocent man which stood before them.
Scripture shows us the depravity and callousness of those sitting in judgment of our Lord that day. After trumping up the false charges required to carry out their foul deeds this "brood of vipers"; these "whited sepulchers full of dead men’s bones" pronounced their judgment: "He is guilty of death". Matthew tells us they then "..spit in His face, and buffeted him; and ... smote him with the palms of their hands. Saying, prophecy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee". Christ stood silent that day, but He surely could have prophesied. One prophecy that could have been uttered was this: "That’s all right Sanhedrin -- you may think you’re in control now, but you need to know that today is only Friday, but Sunday’s Coming!!"
JESUS BEFORE PILATE
(Matt 27:1-2, 11-26; Mk 15:1-15; Lk 23:1-7, 13-25; Jn 18:15-18, 25-38)
The next scene in the drama of Christ’s crucifixion takes place in Pilate’s hall. Being convinced that they had an "air-tight" cases against Jesus, the chief priests and elders had Him delivered to Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of the region. It was with Pilate that the authority to put to death lay. Pilate, that pompous procurator of the region, who would dare sit in judgment of the Perfect Personage of Heaven!
The charges are brought against our Master: "We found this man perverting our nation and forbidding people to pay taxes to Caesar saying that He himself is the Messiah, a king". Such lies that flowed from the hearts of these so-called "holy men". Christ had never been guilty of these crimes, but remember -- they had murder in their heart.
"Are you the king of the Jews" Pilate demanded. "My kingdom is not of this world", was the response of Christ. Angrily, Pilate posed the question again: "Are you indeed a king?" To his amazement this Jesus of Nazareth replied "You are right in saying that I am a king".
If Pilate had known who it was he was called upon to judge that day he would have trembled. Here we find the creature presuming to judge the Creator; the impotent judging the omnipotent; the finite judging the infinite. Could Pilate have called Heaven’s into court for testimony that day he would have seen millions of angels standing at the witness stand attesting to the claims of Christ. Heaven was there when He laid the foundations of the earth. They were eyewitnesses when He hung the sun and moon on nothing.
They saw this great King "number the stars and call them all by name". Ah, yes indeed, HE WAS A KING! He was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! All of heaven would resound with the anthem: "All hail the power of Jesus’ name, let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all!!!"
Pilate’s wife was aware that there was something special about this man who stood for judgment. "Have nothing to do with this just man", she tells her husband, "for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him". But Pilate was in a predicament! If he let Jesus go, the Jewish leadership would accuse him of being an enemy of Caesar. Yet by his own admission, Pilate had found no fault in Jesus!
In an effort to appease the crowd, Pilate brought Jesus and the insurrectionist Barabbas before them. It was the custom of the day to release one prisoner during Passover. "Surely", he thought, "the crowd will have released to them Jesus of Nazareth rather than this vicious criminal Barabbas." Yet this crowd was thirsty for innocent blood. Their response was "Release unto us Barabbas!" "But what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" asked Pilate. "Crucify him", cried the blood-thirsty crowd. The Gospel of Mark presents the record of the proceedings: "Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify Him! And so Pilate, willing to content the people released Barabbas unto them and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him to be crucified".
Matthew’s Gospel records that this weak-willed Roman ruler "took water, and washed his hands before the multitude saying ’I am innocent of the blood of this just person’." But, Pilate, it will take more than water to wash the responsibility of this innocent blood from your hands. You were willing to sacrifice an innocent man on the altar of your own popularity. I can see Pilate as Christ is being led off to the scourgers. Undoubtedly he looked again at his hands and sees what appears to be blood-stains there. And as he looks at these stains they seem to take the shape of letters and the letters begin to form words; and the words form one sentence: "It’s Friday, Pilate -- But Sunday’s Coming"!
JESUS ON HIS WAY TO CALVARY
Scourging was one of the most brutal forms of punishment. Jesus was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the "cat-o-nine-tails" in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus’ shoulders, back and legs. The small balls of lead do such awesome damage that finally the skin of His back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue.
When it is determined that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped. Our Lord Jesus Christ, half-fainting, is untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood.
The Roman soldiers see a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be king. They throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still need a crown to make their ridicule complete. A small bundle of flexible branches covered with long thorns are plaited together into the shape of a crown and this is pressed into His scalp. After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from His back. He is made to pick up his cross and begin his 650-yard journey along the "Via Dolorosa" ("the way of suffering") to a place called Golgotha. In spite of His efforts to walk erect, the weight of the heavy wooden cross in His weakened condition proves to be too much. He stumbles and slumps under the weight of the cross. His precious blood drips and splatters on the stony cobblestone street. The stones that Christ had once said would sing praises unto Him if humanity kept silence now are heard to sigh and cry as they are touched by the blood of their Creator! As Jesus stumbled and touched His grieving Creation, perhaps He whispered this message of encouragement to them: "It will be all right. It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming"!
CHRIST CRUCIFIED
Finally arriving at Calvary, the old rugged cross was placed on the ground, and Jesus is quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action. The cross is then lifted into place and a placard is placed above His head reading: Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.
The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. Jesus is now crucified. As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain --the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of the feet!
The Roman soldiers in attendance, look up at this so-called "king" and wag their heads. They continue to laugh at Him as he is suspended between heaven and earth. The Jews sarcastically cried out: "If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross". Others were heard to say "He saved others, yet Himself , He cannot save!"
The angels in heaven looked on in stunned disbelief. Here was the Creator; the Lion of Judah; the Son of the Living God being crucified at the hands of His creation! And then, after hours of torment Jesus lifted His weight momentarily from the cross, allowing Him to fill His lungs in order that He might make one final proclamation: "It is finished! Father into your hands I commit my spirit"
With this statement pandemonium broke loose. Nature convulsed. The sun refused to shine its fair rays down upon a creation which would treat the Creator so. The birds refused to sing their lovely songs to those who had shed innocent blood.
Earth convulsed, Hell rejoiced; and Heaven stood amazed. God the Father looked down from His throne and with a glint in His eye said: "It’s all right -- Satan HAS NOT won. It’s Friday --- But Sunday’s coming!"
This Easter Story does not end on the Cross. No, the Cross is only the beginning. Listen to our text again: "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen ..." Thank God, IT’S SUNDAY!!
"Born in a stable, His mother a virgin, Raised in a carpenter shop.
His parents were poor, His people were slaves. His friends were a lowly lot.
His chances in life seemed so very slim, He’s expected to be a slave.
But people in darkness saw great light in Him And hope of freedom He gave.
All of the power of heaven and earth God had invested in Him.
He’s to die on the cross, descend into hell, Meet the devil, take the keys from Him.
He yielded Himself to the death on the cross, Cried it’s finished and slumped to die
In the regions of hell the devils celebrated, We’ve destroyed the king they cried!
In the midst of the celebration footsteps were heard Walking through the corridors of hell
Then the shouting stopped as a voice rang out A voice rang out, a voice that rang like a bell
Satan then trembled as he recognized Him
Who had come to deliver His own.
"Shut and lock the gates", he cried
"Don’t let Him ascend to His throne!"
So the gates swung shut in the face of the King
To prove God’s salvation untrue.
But He shook Hell’s gates and cried "lift up your head
The King is coming through"!
And out of the devil’s prison house came
A procession led by the King
Shouting "Now o, grave where is thy victory
And death where is thy sting!"
Thank God, it’s Sunday!!
He was once humiliated in the midst of 2 thieves crucified. Now He is walking in majesty in the midst of the churches. His head was once crowned with thorns. Now His head is crowned with glory! His feet were once nailed to the cross. Now His feet are as burning and polished brass. His voice was once hushed in death. Now His voice is as the sound of many water. His hands were once pierced and nailed to the tree. Now His hand is mighty to help us. His face was once marred. Now His face is as the sun shining in its strength. Thank God it’s Sunday! Court guard you will never again slap His face! Pontius Pilate you will never again sit in His judgment! Roman Scourger you will never again plow His back! Roman Soldier you will never again impel His flesh! Jewish skeptic you will never again malign His character! Roman Caesar you will never again seal His grave! Thank God it’s Sunday!
Christian friend, I wanted to tell you this morning that the suffering and anguish Jesus Christ experienced was on Friday-- we live on the Sunday-side of the cross! He is no longer that poor, rejected, despised Jewish carpenter. Oh no, that was all finished on Friday. The first time He came to redeem. The next time He is coming to reign. The first time He came to die. The next time He will come to raise the dead! The first time He had an escort of angels. The next time He "cometh with ten thousands of His saints." The first time He came in meekness. The next time He is coming in MAJESTY.
Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!!
If you’re searching for Jesus, this morning, don’t look at the cross -- He is no longer there. If you seek this Lord this morning, don’t stoop to peer into the tomb -- for it stands forever vacant -- a memorial to the Conquering Christ!
If you’re searching for Jesus this morning, turn your gaze heavenward!
CONCLUSION
What does this mean for us this morning? What does it mean to serve a Risen Savior? What does it mean that we are living on the Sunday side of the cross? What is the great significance of the Easter message? The answer, my friend is found in Christ’s own words: ". . .I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." The message of Easter is a message of hope!
On the Friday side it seems all hope is lost,
On the Sunday side hope springs eternal!
On the Friday side evil seems to prevail
On the Sunday side evil is defeated!
On the Friday side we live in fear.
On the Sunday side we live by faith.
On the Friday side we say "God is nowhere."
On the Sunday side we say "God is now here."
On the Friday side we feel like a worm.
On the Sunday side we soar like an eagle!
On the Friday side we seem defeated.
On the Sunday side we live victoriously!
May I encourage you this morning to say as the Psalmist: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God:. . ." (Psalms 43:5)
