Forecasters predict the weather. Newspersons predict behaviors. So as we look toward Easter, we can paraphrase that well-known line to say “Friday looks bad–but Sunday’s comin’!”

What an amazing gift! Thinking of Jesus’ pain recently has brought back memories of prior Easters. The joy of celebrating the resurrection, covering a cross with flowers to reflect the “beauty instead of ashes” (Isaiah 61:3) that came out of Jesus’ suffering, happy times with family members. Then there was the Easter shortly after Jerry, my first husband, was diagnosed with terminal liver disease. I was in Japan on business (of course I’d asked his doctor and Jerry before going) and celebrated the Resurrection in a local English-speaking church. Meanwhile, Jerry and our friend, Lee Todd, went to church together in California and were invited to Mom’s for Easter lunch. Jerry broke down and couldn’t go. I came home early, soon after that. And last Easter, my mother passed from death to Life the night before Palm Sunday.

Scripture tells us there was “darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour” – i.e. from noon ’til 3 pm, when Jesus died. That darkness symbolizes the pain of separation from God. Even Jesus, God’s only Son, was separated from the Father, with whom He is One (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Our Savior could have walked away from the Cross. He walked away from the mob trying to throw Him over a cliff.

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Luke 4:28-30, NIV

He could have called angels to rescue Him. But no, He accepted the scorn and agony in obedience to the Father, in our place. Amazing grace!!

Have you experienced that darkness? The feeling of separation from God and from others you love? I have. For my father, first husband and my mother–Resurrection! But for me, there were times of great darkness and grief.

Imagine the pain of Jesus’ disciples. They believed He was ushering in a new kingdom. And He was. They just didn’t understand that it was a kingdom that was not of this world. Now their leader, Rabbi, hero was dead. I imagine they felt not only grief, but betrayal. What happened to Jesus’ promises?

Before He died, Jesus told His disciples,

… “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

John 14:6-8, NIV

Amazing grace indeed, that He would die in our place.

So what is our response to His sacrifice?

Do we ignore Him, assign Him a “good man/great teacher” role, or accept Him as our King?

At the moment of Jesus’ death the heavy curtain at the entrance to the Temple was torn. That incident symbolized the opening of the veil–that through Jesus, all have access to God the Father. The good news was not only for the Hebrews, but for all people, including you and me! Forgiveness was granted to the man on the cross next to Jesus; to Saul, who persecuted and killed Christians before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and became the apostle Paul. No sin too great for God to forgive!

I have questions that may not be answered until eternity. I don’t have it all together. I question why my mother’s body had such a hard time letting go when her mind and spirit were so ready to be in the presence of God. But this I declare–Jesus is my King! And one day, all my questions will be answered, my fears resolved, peace restored to the world as God intended.

So I encourage you this week to remember, “Today’s Friday … but Sunday’s Comin'” (you can listen to the whole piece at the link below). God be with you this Easter week!

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-norton-ext_onb&ei=UTF-8&hsimp=yhs-ext_onb&hspart=norton&param1=0a6ef5af-06c6-4c78-90af-877a4392b851_2020-06-18_cr&param2=ds_nag_may20&param3=ngc_22.20.2.57_wk25_2020&param4=1000&source=nag&p=this+is+friday%2C+but+sunday%27s+coin&type=cr_ds_may20_wk25_2020#action=view&id=20&vid=f2df1939757237945cd3489b31759ccc