Good Friday

I woke early, already thinking at this time of the day what has happened to Jesus. All while I slept, He was fervently on His knees in the Garden, He was arrested, and at this hour He is being brutally beaten and mocked.
Before we went to bed last night, Kendall set our alarm to wake to the song "Garden" by Need To Breathe. It was the absolute best way to wake my thoughts on the events of what occurred this day over 2,000 years ago. The song is written as though Jesus Himself is singing from within the Garden of Gethsemane. He sings,
"Won't you take this cup from Me, cause fear has stolen all my sleep,
if tomorrow brings my death, I pray You'll save their souls with it."
"May the songs I sing bring joy to You, may the words I say confess my love, may the notes I choose be your favorite tune....and Father let my heart be after You."
Listen/watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li8aiGtNyZo
I too pray, "Father, let MY heart be after You."

Years ago Kendall and I had the opportunity to hear Anthony Campolo speak and address us with his sermon "It's Friday.....but Sunday's coming!"  Though today is a remembrance that bears with it great sorrow on this good Friday, we cannot remain sorrowful but rather joyful as Sunday is coming and our Mighty God will rise victorious over sin and death.
Below are the lines of Campolo's brief but impactful Good Friday speech. Imagine Tony starting quietly and then rocking back and forth, then louder and louder and louder in culmination of the joyful event, that thunderous sound of a boulder rolling away from a tomb.
Let your mind meditate on these things today. Do not be sad but joyful for it is Friday....but Sunday IS coming!!

“It’s Friday… Jesus was nailed dead on a cross.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… Mary’s crying her eyes out ‘cause her Jesus is dead.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… The disciples are running around like sheep without a shepherd.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… Pilate’s strutting around washing his hands ‘cause he thinks he’s got all the power and victory.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… People are saying “as things have been so they shall be – you can’t change anything in this world.”

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… Satan’s doing a jig saying, “I control the whole world.”

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… The temple veil ripped from top to bottom -the earth shook- the rocks split and tombs opened. The centurion screamed in fear, “Truly, He is the Son of God!”

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Sunday- “The angel, like dazzling lightening, rolled the stone away exclaiming,
“He is not here! He is risen!   

It’s Sunday! It’s Sunday! It is Sunday!”    - Dr. Anthony Campolo