Christians around the world are celebrating the opposite ends of emotions this weekend. They are celebrating defeat, or at least what momentarily appeared as defeat. They are celebrating victory. They are, or at least should be, celebrating the breadth and height of human emotions.

Friday was the day on which what became known as Christianity appeared to have suffered a terrible blow. Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, had been beaten, flogged and crucified, left for dead.

All of those who followed him were dejected. They were facing what apparently was the lowest point in any one of their lives. The great hope they had anticipated through this one they called Jesus Christ had apparently been thwarted.

Their hope on Friday had been dashed. A phrase that someone has coined, however, reflects the significant change in their attitude from Friday until Sunday. That phrase is, "It's Friday but Sunday's coming."

On Sunday, those dejected followers of Jesus were elated! They were celebrating the most significant victory in their lives. From the very pits of defeat, they had found the epitome of victory -- the resurrection of the one who had been crucified, Jesus Christ.

That Resurrection Sunday not only changed those followers' attitudes, it changed the course of history. Our very calendars are marked by years B.C., before Christ, and by years following Christ, A.D., "in the year of our Lord."

Some 2,000-plus years following, that resurrection is still being celebrated and still providing hope to Christians all over the world.

In the resurrection Christians see the brightest promise of all time -- they see the promise that the very best is yet to be.

I have a picture hanging on my bathroom wall that a very good friend gave me. In the frame of that picture are these words: "The Very Best is Yet To Be."

Every time I see that picture, I am reminded that no matter how dark days have been, no matter how low any one person may be, the promise we celebrate at Easter is this:

The Very Best Is Yet To Be.

Jack Rollins is the managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.