Phil Wickham - Sunday Is Coming Lyrics

Phil Wickham - Sunday Is Coming (Official Music Video)

Sunday Is Coming Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Phil Wickham's song "Sunday Is Coming," released with its official music video on March 17, 2023, presents a narrative journey through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The song begins by establishing Jesus' presence and identity in Galilee, acknowledging the varied responses He received, from being seen as a 'madman' to being recognized as King and a 'wonder-working rebel priest'. It quickly moves to the understanding that a sacrificial death was necessary to redeem humanity from sin and the grave, identifying Jesus as the unique individual capable of paying that ultimate price.

The central message and theme of the song is encapsulated in its core declaration: "Friday's good 'cause Sunday is comin'". This phrase powerfully contrasts the somber reality of Jesus' crucifixion on Friday with the victorious hope of His resurrection on Sunday. It highlights the Christian belief that the suffering and death endured on the cross were not the end of the story but a necessary step leading to the triumph over death and the devil through the resurrection. The repetition of this line in the chorus serves as an anchor of hope, asserting the defeat of evil and encouraging listeners not to lose hope because the resurrection changes everything.

The narrative continues by detailing the events of Jesus' passion, including His voluntary surrender, the betrayal by a friend, and His silent suffering before the mocking crowd, likening Him to a Lamb led to slaughter. It describes Him carrying the cross to Calvary and shedding His blood for redemption, noting the darkness that accompanied the crucifixion and emphasizing that the salvation of the world was the focus of His heart even in His final moments. Following His death and burial, the song incorporates an interlude that explicitly states, "But that wasn't the end," building anticipation for the pivotal event.

The song culminates with the account of the women finding the empty tomb on Sunday morning and the angel's declaration that they should not seek the living among the dead. This leads into a powerful refrain celebrating Jesus' resurrection with shouts of "He's alive, Hallelujah, He's alive," urging listeners to offer praise. The song concludes by looking towards Jesus' current reign in heaven and the future expectation of His return, calling for the church to arise in readiness.

The events described throughout the song are central to Christian theology and are chronicled in numerous places within the Bible. References can be found in the Gospels regarding Jesus' ministry in Galilee, His identity, and miracles (e.g., Matthew 4:23-25, John 1:43-49). The necessity of His sacrifice is alluded to in scriptures like Hebrews 9:22. The betrayal by Judas is recorded in Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6, and John 13:21-30. The suffering and silence during His trial are reflected in Isaiah 53:7 and Matthew 27:12-14. The journey to Calvary and the crucifixion are detailed in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. The burial is described in Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, and John 19:38-42. The discovery of the empty tomb and the angel's message are found in Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-10. Jesus' ascension and reign are spoken of in Acts 1:9-11, Ephesians 1:20-23, and Revelation 5. The expectation of His second coming is mentioned in John 14:3, Acts 1:11, and Revelation 22:20. The song effectively weaves these biblical narratives together to convey the foundational Christian message of hope in the resurrection.