It was Friday. Jesus had just been crucified. The son of God, killed by men. The creator, put to death by those that He had created… How could he have just let them do it to Him? With one word from His lips the soldiers would have been obliterated, yet He kept quiet and endured the pain of the nails through his hands and feet. It was Friday, but Sunday was coming…

The disciples were crushed. They hadn’t understood that Jesus was going to give His life up. They had thought it would be different. They thought that he would be a worldly ruler. They thought He was their deliverer. Now he was dead and they were scared for their own lives. They were hiding in case the Romans decided to come after them too. Except for John, they didn’t even have the guts to come to the crucifixion. Their hopes and dreams were crushed and put to death with Jesus. This was Friday… but Sunday was coming.

Jesus enemies just knew that their plan had worked perfectly. They had gotten the crowd to ask for Barabbas, the murderer, instead of Jesus. He was messing with their religious system too much. How did this Jesus dare to put them in the same boat as the “sinful” people? The Pharisees and Sadducees had been successful in removing the “problem.” Jesus was gone. Game Over. It was Friday…. But Sunday was coming.

All the demons in hell were happy too. Now Satan really was the ruler of the Earth. Jesus, his threat, was gone and in the tomb. Better enjoy it now, big guy. You’ve got Friday and Saturday…. But Sunday is coming!

Guess what? Sunday is here. The stone holding him in the grave was rolled away. He is alive. The God that raised His only son from the dead is the same God that loves you enough to send that son to die. I might like you but I wouldn’t send my son to die for you, and I have three of them. God sent His only son to suffer and die because He loves us. He has made it possible, because of Easter, for anyone to have a relationship with Him. We just have to acknowledge our sin, ask forgiveness, and decide to live for Him. Happy Easter!

The Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to bring you sample highlights of upcoming events in our area. From train rides with the Easter Bunny, to races, rodeos and wine festivals, Wilson County has something for everyone this spring!

Kick-off spring with the Tennessee Central Railway's Easter Bunny Train Trip to Watertown on April 3! Kids will get a chance to visit with the Easter Bunny and go on an egg hunt while in Watertown. Tickets for the train sell out quickly, so get yours today! For train information and tickets, please contact the Tennessee Central Railway Museum at 615-244-9001 or visit www.tcry.org. The City of Lebanon will hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 3 at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center. Contact the City of Lebanon for more information at 615-443-2839.

If racing is more your thing, head out to Nashville SuperSpeedway on April 2 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race and then stay for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race on April 3. As an added bonus for ticket holders, Big Machine Records recording artists Steel Magnolia will perform a free post-race concert on April 3 as part of the Dillon Transportation Concert Series immediately following the race! To purchase tickets, visit www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com or call 866-RACE-TIX.

Don't miss the first-ever Whip Crackin' Rodeo on April 16-17, at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center under the lights of the new arena beginning at 5:30 p.m.! Join Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead and Lone Star World Championship Rodeo for this fun and family friendly charity event. For more information on the Whip Crackin' Rodeo, contact the Agricultural Center at 615-449-9077 or visit www.whipcrackinrodeo.com.

Also taking place at the James E. Ward Ag Center on April 17 is the Fiddler's 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. and beginning at noon, Dumplin' Days. Dumplin' Days is a day of fun for the kids, including storytelling, inflatables, pony rides, clowns, old-time games and so much more! Adults can enjoy corn hole contests, dumplin' cook-off, live musicians and antique car exhibits at Fiddlers Grove Historic Village. There is no admission charge for Dumplin' Days. For information about the Fiddler's 5K Run/Walk or Dumplin' Days, please contact the Lebanon/Wilson Co. Chamber of Commerce at 615-444-5503.

Watertown will host their annual Spring Mile-Long Yard Sale and Excursion Train on April 17. Ride the train and then shop at Watertown's HUGE Yard Sale! For information on the Mile-Long Yard Sale, please contact Jim Amero at 615-237-1777. For train information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Tennessee Central Railway Museum at 615-244-9001 or visit www.tcry.org.

Calling all wine buffs! The Mt. Juliet/West Wilson Chamber of Commerce will host A Toast to Tennessee Wine Festival on May 15 at Nashville Shores. Sample wine from some of Tennessee's award-winning wineries. Enjoy live music, gourmet food, food seminars, artisans and complimentary boat rides on the lake. For more information, please visit www.atoasttotennessee.com or call the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce at 615-758-3478.

Also on May 15, the Tennessee Central Railway Museum will host a Train Robbery Trip to Watertown. The train ride gets even more exciting when it gets taken over by Wild West Robbers! For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Tennessee Central Railway Museum at 615-244-9001 or visit www.tcry.org.

For more information and additional events, please visit www.visitwilsoncounty.com.