Are you a Christian? If so, this post is for you. As a Christian, do you walk around with a Friday attitude? No, I'm not talking about a TGIF (thank goodness it's Friday) attitude. I'm talking about a crucifixion Friday attitude. You know the attitude I'm talking about don't you. The world is a horrible place, we're going to hell in a hand basket, my life is in shambles, everything is falling apart, attitude.
I'm pretty sure, despite everything He said, most Christians thought that crucifixion Friday was the end. That was it, Jesus was on a cross. He died. They placed Him in a tomb. Clearly, for them, the world must have been a horrible place in that moment. Everything must have been falling apart. The sky went black. The earth shook.
On crucifixion Friday, they forgot one vital piece of information. We hear it all of the time close to Easter. It's almost become a "catch phrase." However, it is so very true. I know it's Friday, but hold on, Sunday's coming. Mercy! Sunday's coming! Boy did it show up with a bang.
In one shining moment, Jesus broke the chains of death and hell FOREVER - if we just believe on Him. There is no circumstance, situation, moment, or phase that lasts forever. Nothing that we see or go through here is permanent. There is only one thing that is permanent - eternal life.
So why, as Christians, believers in Jesus Christ, do we walk around with a defeated attitude? Why do we have a crucifixion Friday attitude? In reality, with an eternal future in front of us, shouldn't we all walk around with a resurrection Sunday attitude instead.
Crucifixion Friday - you don't understand. My job is horrible. The hours are horrible. The pay is horrible. My boss is horrible. Resurrection Sunday - Colossians 3:22-24 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.…
Crucifixion Friday - you don't understand. I'm in debt. My finances are a mess. I don't know what to do. Resurrection Sunday - Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Crucifixion Friday - you don't understand. My husband/wife is a liar, drunk, cheat, etc. I've done everything I know to do and I just can't make this marriage work. Resurrection Sunday - I Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Crucifixion Friday - you don't understand. My kid is a mess. I've tried to raise him right but he just stays in trouble. Resurrection Sunday - If you have truly "raised him right," God makes you a promise. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Crucifixion Friday - you don't understand. I lost my spouse, parent, child. My life will never be the same. It hurts so badly. (I know, I really do know). Resurrection Sunday - I Thessalonians 4:13-14 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
Crucifixion Friday - you don't understand. I've used drugs. I've been promiscuous. I've had an abortion. I've stolen things. I've lied. How can God forgive those things. Resurrection Sunday - I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
I don't mean to try and make it sound so easy. I struggle with these things myself. Living a life of faith isn't always easy. However, if our attitudes reflect those of defeat, fear, misery, and the inability to cope, how do we make Jesus sound like a "good" thing to the non-believer. If our attitude is as poor as theirs, how does being a Christian sound like it has any benefits. If a Christian's life and attitude mirrors the life and attitude of a non-believer, how do we show a non-believer that God is working. I know life is tough. The world is a crazy place. I know that sometimes it really does "LOOK" like there's no way out. It really does "LOOK" like Crucifixion Friday. Oh but glory! Faith lets us KNOW Sunday is coming!
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