Luke 24: 1 - 12

Tucked away in the corner of page 30 of the November 12, 2001 issue of Sports Illustrated, was an interesting article about the world’s greatest comebacks. A “comeback” meaning something or someone that at one time was counted “out of it”, only to return to popularity or victory. The list included such people and things as Muhammad Ali, Elvis, Harry Truman, Michael Jordan, Germany and Japan. All in their own way making a comeback after being down or defeated.

Much to my surprise, guess who was listed as #1? Jesus Christ! No joke. “Defies critics and stuns the Romans with his resurrection,” the article said.

Now I know that most of you reading this probably don’t give a rip about sports. But I found it quite surprising that a big sports magazine like S.I. would list Jesus. And I don’t think it was a joke either!

But is it any surprise? Who deserves it better? To come back to life after death (and stay alive!) is truly the most remarkable comeback that anyone could ever achieve.

But the feat itself is perhaps not what is so remarkable, as is the reason or motivation for it. This was no comeback for personal fame or glory. Jesus loves us so much, that he was willing to die the death that we should have. And his love was so strong, that it could conquer death. It couldn’t keep him down. No grave could hold him or his love in it.

That’s because his love is an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3, 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17) And his “comeback” is forever.

It cannot be imagined how important Christ’s resurrection is. It is the defining moment of Christianity. If it is not true, then our faith is just a hoax. Everything believed in the Christian church hinges on this event. It is the reason why we worship on Sundays, the proof of God’s love for us, the fulfillment of our hope, and why we can live without fear of death.

Extra credit reading: For a little more on the importance of the resurrection, get into 1 Corinthians 15: 1 - 19

Give thanks today, and every Sunday especially, for Christ’s comeback of life over death. Rejoice that someday you will comeback eternally too!