The Greatest Comeback of All Time

Although I didn’t care so much about what team won the Super Bowl yesterday, I will say I was very impressed by the Patriot’s comeback. It was actually insane, inconceivable even—the game was over…But then it wasn’t.

There’s another comeback in history that many people don’t even know about, or don’t believe. It’s a comeback that as Christians is the basis for our salvation— it’s something we should celebrate and be grateful for everyday we’re alive. But sadly we aren’t. It’s a comeback that seems to slip our minds way too often.

It’s the comeback of Jesus conquering the grave.

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.’ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’” –Matthew 28:5-10

Maybe it seems cheesy, or it seems like a pretty big stretch to compare Jesus’ death and resurrection to a Super Bowl game…but think about how hyped people are to watch the Super Bowl. Think about the crazy emotions both Falcons and Patriot’s fans alike felt when suddenly something on the field shifted and what seemed like game-over, wasn’t game-over anymore. That was a pretty amazing comeback in my opinion, but Jesus made an even bigger comeback.

After being crucified on the cross, there was no doubt in anyone’s minds that Jesus was dead. The game was over…Or, so everyone thought. But a few days later, something crazy happened. It’s like a ridiculous catch is made by the losing team and suddenly they have hope.

The grave is empty and Jesus is alive—the greatest comeback of history.

Unfortunately, sometimes it just sounds like another story. It doesn’t seem real to us because we didn’t see it broadcast on live television, we don’t know people that were there to see it, and it wasn’t just yesterday that it happened. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t still relevant. It isn’t just a game-changer, it should change our lives.

It’s easy to forget the little things, but Jesus conquering death isn’t a little thing. So why in the world do we forget that?!?

We should be so desperately excited that Jesus is alive that we wear His jersey every single day. We should walk around like our favorite team just won the Super Bowl. But we don’t.

I know that I for sure don’t.

However, somewhere in the midst of a very stressful, long, and not so totally awesome day today, I took a minute to breath. In that moment, I remembered that it’s all gonna be just fine. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not even this year. But someday it will be—because Jesus is alive and I have a reason to live. I have a reason to celebrate. I have a reason to walk around like my favorite team just won the Super Bowl.

Wherever you are right now, in whatever circumstances, take a minute to remember that Jesus already won the battle. He already conquered death and the grave is empty. So even in the darkest moments, we have a reason to celebrate. We have a reason to hope. And even on those days when you feel totally crushed and defeated, remember that the man who had the greatest comeback in history, did it out of the purest love for you.