Easter Sunday - While It Was Still Dark

John 20:1-18

Dr. S.M. Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego from 1953 to 1993. He was known for his preaching across the United States and around the world. His Easter Meditation, “It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!” is one of the most powerful sermons you will ever hear. You can listen to it here. Below is an excerpt from this wonderful sermon as it introduces our theme for this week’s sermon: “While It Was Still Dark!”

This is the true gospel – that God is relentlessly pursuing us with his love. This is why God stepped into human history as a man. That’s why Jesus is God Himself who walked among us, because in matters of love you have to go yourself! Jesus came to us, engaged us, and pursued us. He bled for the world sacrificing Himself to set us free, to set the record straight and to pave the way for relationship with God Himself – because He so loved the world.

Below is part of the text to “It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!”

Imagine the darkest day you’ve ever faced.

The phone call you never wanted to receive.

The diagnosis you feared.

The betrayal you didn’t see coming.

That’s what Friday felt like for the followers of Jesus.

On that Friday, the sky grew dark, the earth shook, and hope seemed buried in a borrowed tomb.

But what they didn’t know—what we sometimes forget—is that Friday was not the end of the story.

On that Friday

The disciples were scattered, confused, and afraid.

The religious leaders thought they had silenced the troublemaker from Nazareth.

The Roman soldiers believed they had executed just another rebel.

And the world seemed to have lost its light.

Friday is the day when prayers feel unanswered, when God feels silent, and when the future feels uncertain.

We all have our Fridays—moments of grief, loss, and despair.

But Sunday Was Coming

What they couldn’t see was that God was already at work.

While the stone was rolled in place, Heaven’s plan was rolling forward.

While the world mourned, the angels prepared for the announcement.

While death thought it had won, Life was about to break through.

Sunday was coming—

The day the stone would be rolled away.

The day the grave would be empty.

The day death would lose its sting.

Join us this Easter Sunday morning as we look at the text: “While it was still dark” from the Gospel of John 20:1-18. While the resurrection provides great hope, in the meantime, there are times of darkness, what do we do? How do we live?

Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!

Pastor Wayne