Good Friday | Nothing Happens Until Something Moves

When we put our faith into action, our lives will reflect the life of Jesus. 

It takes a level faith (complete trust/confidence in something without proof) to believe what we believe. That a man birthed from a virgin came to die for humanity and be raised from the dead 3 days later. That sounds crazy. This weekend many people call us crazy. I mean, it is a crazy story. The reality is that it requires faith to believe that it happened. Faith requires action. Action requires Faith. Faith in itself is action (doing something). Essentially I can say that my marriage will be successful, but it requires faith in action. I can say that my kids will be greater than me, but it requires faith in action. I can say that I will be successful, but it requires faith in action. Overall, the choices I make will either lead or deter the destiny God has in store for me and it will always require faith. 

This weekend, millions of people will remember what Jesus chose to do. The cross will be prevalent. Easter programs will be magnified. Churches will be packed. Sadly, many of us will overlook the purpose, count the numbers and get caught solely on the display. As a Pastor, we expect the influx of people arriving to hear the story of Jesus, but there are 2 things I never want to forget about this weekend: 

1. Jesus died for all, not just my church. 
2. I have to love my neighbor, as myself. 

Both require faith to believe and needs my action to be received. Why, because not everyone believes what I believe and not everyone is easy to love. On the night before Jesus was crucified, Jesus said to his disciples “Love one another, as I have loved you.” John 13:34. Leaders, let us not forget the sacrifice Jesus made for all, not just those that agree with me. Love is a requirement to end hate. Love is a sacrifice. Christ Love is not exclusive. Christ Love is radical, but necessary. Christ's love is not transactional, it is transformational. Essentially, I can not preach this weekend about the love on a cross, if I can’t love my neighbor. Jesus was brutally beaten, mocked, struck on the head with a staff and spit on. But He still died for everyone. A crown of thorns was placed on his head and he was stripped naked. But he still died for everyone. He was made to carry his own cross. But he still died for everyone. Jesus was led to Calvary where soldiers drove stake-like nails through his wrists and ankles, affixing him to the cross. But he still died for everyone. "And he died for all ..." 2 Cor. 5:15

This picture of my wife and I is at the start of a new season of our lives as Executive Pastors. This weekend will be our first Easter in this assignment. We stepped out from what we felt was comfortable and in to the unknown. Not everyone understood, in fact, we sadly lost some people we thought were friends. But I’ve learned through ministry that people will always criticize what they don’t understand. What God asked of us required faith and it continues to even when we don’t feel it. Nothing happens until something moves. Our Savior had to go through death. Death seems permanent. Death is disheartening. How can who and what we believe in, just die on a cross? See it may start in a way you planned for, but what happened 3 days later was not what you thought could happen. Jesus will always arrive in a way you least expect. That’s why today is a Good Friday, and as He endured the cross, we will push forward in obedience to what He tasked us to do. Sunday is coming, and it will be a beautiful result. 

P.S. Praying for all Pastors this weekend to keep the main thing, the main thing, Jesus. - PA