S.M. Lockridge, pastor of a prominent African-American congregation in San Diego, preached at crusades, revivals and evangelistic conferences around the world.

You can still hear him preach on YouTube, though he died 13 years ago.  The Rev. Lockridge’s best-known message is an inspiring description of Jesus entitled “That’s my King!”  There’s also a recording of his vivid description of the last few hours of Jesus’ life, His death and resurrection.

It’s a message that reminds us of what our Lord suffered for us, and, that when we are going through suffering He knows how we feel. Suffering will be brief compared to the day when believers experience the resurrection. And, Lockridge powerfully reminds us that “it may be Friday,” but remember that Sunday’s coming.

“It’s Friday. Jesus is pray-ing. Peter’s sleep-ing. Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday. Pilate’s struggling. The council is conspiring. The crowd is vilifying. They don’t even know that Sunday’s coming. 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 coming.

“It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robe him in scarlet. They crown him with thorns. But they don’t know that Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday. See Jesus walking to Calvary. His blood’s dripping. His body stumbling. And His spirit’s burdened. But you see, it’s only Friday; Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday. The world’s winning. People are sinning. And evil’s grinning.

“It’s Friday. The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands to the cross. They nail my Savior’s feet to the cross. Then they raise him up next to criminals. It’s Friday. But let me tell you something, Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday. The disciples are questioning. What has happened to their King?

“The Pharisees are celebrating that their scheming has been achieved. But they don’t know, it’s only Friday; Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday. He’s hanging on the cross; feeling forsaken by his Father, left alone and dying. Can nobody save him?

“Oh, it’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark.  My King yields his spirit.  It’s Friday. Hope is lost. Death has won. Sin has conquered, and Satan’s just laughing. 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-coming!”

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).  Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25) Minister/author John Stott has written, “We live and die, Christ died and lives!”

Singer/song writer Dallas Holm penned these words as though Jesus were speaking, “Go ahead, drive the nails in My hands, laugh at me where you stand. Go ahead, and say it isn’t Me. The day will come when you will see. ‘Cause I’ll rise again. Ain’t no power on earth can tie me down! Yes, I’ll rise again. Death can’t keep Me in the ground.”

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Jan White is an award-winning religion columnist.  Her email address is jwhite@andycable.com.