Many of you are familiar with Tony Campolo’s classic sermon, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming.” It was based on a sermon Tony once heard his African-American pastor preach on Good Friday. This pastor began his message by quietly saying, “It’s Friday and my Jesus is hanging dead on a tree. But it’s Friday, and Sunday’s coming.”

One of the deacons yelled, “Preach, brother, preach!” It was all the encouragement that preacher needed. He grew a little louder.

“It’s Friday, and Mary’s crying her eyes out and the disciples are scattered like sheep without a shepherd. But it’s Friday, and Sunday’s coming.”

And he keeps working that one phrase over and over again. “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming” until he reaches the climax o…