Three Little Words
March 27, 2023
S. M. Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, a prominent African-American congregation in San Diego, California, from 1953 to 1993. I remember hearing his Easter message years ago before I was saved. It was impactful, and I still remember it. His message went as follows:
It’s Friday.
Jesus is praying.
Peter’s a sleeping.
Judas is betraying.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
The disciples are running. Like sheep without a shepherd.
Mary’s crying.
Peter is denying.
But they don’t know.
That Sunday’s a comin’
It’s Friday.
Hope is lost.
Death has won.
Sin has conquered and
Satan’s just a laughin’.
It’s Friday.
Jesus is buried.
A soldier stands guard.
And a rock is rolled into place.
But it’s Friday. It is only Friday.
Sunday is a comin’!
Every year when Resurrection Sunday is approaching, I remember hearing this message in the cadence style of preaching many black pastors used. The vision of what was happening was vivid in my mind when I heard this, and I remember it every year.
It's Friday, and Jesus is buried; a soldier stands guard at the tomb. A rock has been rolled into place to seal the tomb. But it is Friday, it is only Friday, but Sunday is on the way.
As you look at John chapter 20, you will find that the whole chapter is wrapped around the first day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The news that Jesus was alive was getting out and there was great excitement and encouragement all around. The Gospel of Mark tells us that some were skeptical about it and unsure that the Resurrection had occurred. The disciples had gotten together again in the upper room, and now they were talking and discussing the matter of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Now, the disciples are gathered in the upper room behind closed doors. They were afraid of the Jews due to their association with Him. Word was out that they had stolen His body. Every footstep they heard caused their hearts to skip a beat. Every knock at the door created fear in their lives.
But now it is Sunday! The very thing that had the Jews worked up is the very thing that was the driving force behind the Day of Pentecost. It is the wonderful truth, foundation, and future of the church today. It can be summed up in three simple words: “JESUS IS ALIVE!”
These three simple words can change a life in a second. This simple truth can keep you from hell and take you to Heaven. This truth will make you think twice before you doubt the very existence of God. This one truth will give you Gladness instead of gloom - Joy instead of judgment - Happiness instead of heaviness - Blessing instead of burdens, and Deliverance instead of defeat.
Our world is filled with so much uncertainty that it brings people to the point of despair and distress in the mind and heart. I have not seen a day in which despair is as widespread as today. And what is interesting to note is that this uncertainty, this doubt not only affects those who are older but also, amazingly enough, it affects the youth. They are facing life but finding that there is (nothing of challenge in it) - nothing of interest to them. Many young people confess themselves to be bored with life. They admit they are frightened and uncertain. It is estimated that every 2 hours a College student takes their own life.
We are living in a generation that has lost its anchor. Much of this generation is drifting aimlessly. There is no difference in our society and that Sunday evening when the disciples were scared and fearful of everything going on around them (John 20:19). But you have the opportunity today to be like the disciples of John 20:25. Their hopelessness was gone, their fear had fled and they had a new joy in their hearts.
What was the difference? It was not Friday, It was Sunday, and they had seen Jesus. As they said in verse 25, Jesus is Alive.
When we reach the end of our rope, the end of our self sufficiency, this is when fear and doubts kick in. But the only thing you need to do is look up. What will you see? You will see the same thing Thomas saw. He saw Jesus, and he cried out, My Lord and My God.
When you realize that Jesus is alive today and that you have Him as the Lord and Savior of your life, you are no longer drifting aimlessly. You have an anchor you can count on. Your life has purpose and direction.
Remember, three little words, JESUS IS ALIVE! These words will change your life.
Marty Williams