the beautiful game. At least we could console ourselves with seeing the team parade the Premier League trophy through the streets of Manchester yesterday, having overtaken Liverpool as the most successful team in the football league with a 19th title.One quote has stayed in my mind over the last few days and it comes from Sir Alex Ferguson the Man Utd manager:
Only true champions come out and show their worth after defeat- and I expect us to do that.Ferguson spoke those words in 2006 following a defeat to Arsenal and United went on to win the league in the following three seasons.
Bishop Stephen Cottrell, preaching at my Institution service a couple of Sundays ago, mentioned this quote from Sir Alex in his sermon. He reminded us that the death and resurrection of Jesus remain at the heart of our theology and everything else that happens takes place in the light of this great event.
So, whether you’ve just taken a hammering or are feeling on top of the world (or open top bus) it’s still Easter.
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It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s a coming.
It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. And at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming…”
Many thanks for that Paul. I first came across it at the end of Tony Campolo's little book "It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'".
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