Blog 42: The Friday, Saturday, and Sunday ExperiencesgdharpoolApr 30, 20242 min readThe crowds had gone from shouting praise about Jesus to angrily yelling crucify him, all within a week. That is a lesson for all of us. Our current circumstances do not define us, God does. It is also a lesson, to do what is right, crowds are fickle. The Friday, Saturday, and Sunday experiences of Easter represent most of the days of our lives.Friday represents the days that we feel forsaken and abandoned. We all have these days. For me it was the deaths of two brothers both before they were 60, my wife’s cancer, a spinal injury, a potential amputation, a tornado, flood, and a fire that took our home, our possessions, and our dog. We all have a Friday experience, but none of them compares to Jesus who put the sins of the world on him, and died a cruel, painful death feeling forsaken. Friday is 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Job experienced more than a few Fridays and on his very worse day, Job proclaimed, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” Job 13:15.Saturday represents the days of unbelief and uncertainty. The disciples wanted Jesus to be resurrected, but with the exception of a few of the woman, they were 90% doubt, 10% hope. Inside there was still a small flickering light, but it was just enough to hold on. That is most of us, most of the time. We hold onto a muster seed. Saturday, the worst was over, but what did the future hold?Sunday represents love conquering. We run to the hope of Sunday, the fact of a resurrection. Our circumstances do not define, God does. Sunday acknowledges the pain of Friday, the uncertainty of Saturday but boldly proclaims there is hope. He lives. His death certificate is our birth certificate. We can take a deep breath, we can exhale- we have hope. Hope is an expectation with certainty that God will do what he has said.“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).The song "Beautiful Terrible Cross" says it perfectly:There is a beautiful terrible crossWhere though You committed no sinSavior, You suffered the most wicked fateOn the cruelest creation of men Yet on that beautiful terrible crossYou did what only You couldTurning that dark inspired evil of hellInto our soul's greatest good We see the love that You showed usWe see the life that You lostWe bow in wonder and praise YouFor the beautiful terrible cross There on that beautiful terrible crossThough darkness was strong on that hillYou remained sovereign, Lord, still in controlAs Your perfect plan was fulfilled Oh, we gained the riches of HeavenJesus, You paid the horrible costWe stand forgiven and praise YouFor the beautiful terrible crossFor the beautiful terrible cross In the cross, in the crossBe my glory everTill my raptured soul shall findRest beyond the river Beautiful crossTerrible crossBeautiful crossTerrible cross
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