We all know about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday—we’ve forgotten about “Bad Saturday!”
Imagine this.
You’re one of the disciples of Jesus. Up until Friday you were absolutely convinced the whole world had changed, the Son of God had appeared, and from then on you knew everything to be profoundly different. Things were great. Miracles everywhere. Thousands of followers and life looked good—like it was all working out the way you had hoped.
Then came Good Friday—the crucifixion. Every hope and dream—shattered into a million pieces. One of the twelve is a Judas. This is the darkest day of your life. You’re confused, lost, abandoned, and in despair. You know Jesus said, “The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day…,” but you don’t know what to believe. You know what I mean?
If we pay attention to the news, destruction, death, and despair are everywhere. For many people, Bad Saturday describes their every day. As Christians, we have what they need—we have the Gospel message to share with them. We know how the story ends. We don’t have to let them live like those without hope that first Bad Saturday. What better time than this Easter to proclaim widely this life-giving, eternal Good News.
Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.
-Charles Spurgeon
Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead!
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!
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Photo by György Soponyai via Flickr
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