IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Am I Guilty of Crucifying Christ?

Who crucified Christ on that black Friday 20 centuries ago?

Was it the crude and cruel Roman soldiers who nailed the spikes into his hands and feet? Who gambled for His garments at the foot of the cross?  And who pierced His side with a spear?

Was it the unbelieving Jews who in a frenzy cried, “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!” ?  Who demanded the release of a murderer instead of the liberation of their Lord?  Who smugly said, “His blood be on us and on our children?

Was it cowardly Pilate who catered to the crowd’s demands?  Who was more interested in being a friend of Caesar than a friend of Jesus?  Who blithely washed his hands of this sordid sin?

Was it the sanctimonious Sanhedrin council who plotted his execution?  Who denied His Deity?  Who moved with envy to eliminate His eminence among the people?

Was it Judas who betrayed Him? Was it Peter who denied Him? Was it the Disciples who dispersed in fear and deserted Him?

Was it you?  Or me?

What?  Not you or me!  It was Pilate. The Jews.  The Romans.  All of them. They all had a part.  They were there.  They could have stopped that farce that framed an innocent man.  But it wasn’t us!  Or was it?

The Hebrew writer rebukes first century Christians who had become neglectful. Whose ears were dull of hearing.  Whose hearts had become hardened.  He pointedly accused them, saying…

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. (Heb 4:4-6).

Understand that the apostle was writing to Christians.  Those who were enlightened.  Who received fellowship with the Holy Spirit.  Who enjoyed the taste of God’s gracious gift.  Of his soul satisfying Word. And of his powerful presence and promises.  They were recipients of all those blessings, but they quit.  Gave up.  Surrendered.  And thus were  guilty of crucifying Christ. Again.

Has that ever been me?  Have I given in to satisfy selfish desires?  Surrendered to Satan’s enticements?  Yielded to carnal lusts?

But you say, “No, I’ve always been a faithful Christian.”  Hmm. Ok.  But why were you baptized?  Was it because of sin?  Of course!

And it was sin that sent Jesus to the cross.  The sins of the world.  Mankind.  Specifically yours.  And mine.  It was our pride. Our cowardice.  Our greed.  Our envy. Our weakness. Our unbelief.  “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…there is none righteous, no not one,” penned Paul.

That was Friday. The Friday of human failure.  The Friday of humanity’s greatest sin.  It’s our Friday.

But thank God for Sunday!  For His resurrecting power over death. For His triumphant victory over the devil.  For His phenomenal appearances to average folks. For His powerful testimony to Thomas.  For His merciful pardon to Peter. For His world-wide commission to the apostles.  For his astounding ascension to rule as reigning King at the Father’s throne.

And thank God for “my Sunday.”  The Sunday I can bask in His love. Experience His grace. Receive His promises. Share in His supper. Enjoy His fellowship. Find His forgiveness. Partake of His Divinity. Benefit from His blessings. And live in the comforting hope that He offers of a heavenly home.

Wow!  It may be Friday.  But Sunday’s coming!

Ken Weliever, The Preacherman