The Greatest Comeback

“But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him” (Acts 2:24).

I’m a baseball fan, particularly in the postseason. Having lived in New England for over seven years in the nineties our family became Red Sox fans, although their recent success in winning two World Series came after we moved from that area. This year they are again in the American League championship series and last night was an elimination game for them against Tampa Bay as they were down three games to one.

Imagine my surprise when I checked the score early this morning and Boston had come back to win the game 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth!

I know people feel strongly about their teams and we now live where most follow Philadelphia Phillies, who will be in the World Series. I don’t know whether Boston will go any further this year as Tampa Bay has an outstanding team, but in the last several years Boston has demonstrated several remarkable comebacks, most famously being down three games to none in the 2004 American League Championship series before winning four games in a row to win the series.

These comebacks can be encouraging to sports fans everywhere and remind us that it really isn’t over till it’s over. But of course I see a spiritual application as well!

In our daily verse Peter is preaching to the curious crowd gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Fifty days earlier he was among the first witnesses to the greatest comeback in history. Apostolic preaching emphasized the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was and ever will be at the very heart of the Gospel. A faithful witness will always, “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3).

Peter, who had infamously denied the Lord at His trial, now makes a great statement of faith concerning Christ. “God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death.” Christ had experienced the agony of death and apparent absolute defeat. To His enemies a comeback now was an impossibility.

But Peter goes on to say, “It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” He surely recalled the teaching of Jesus he had heard time after time. Early in His ministry Jesus had said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). After Peter had made his great confession of faith, Jesus clearly taught that He would “suffer many things, be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Even his enemies were aware of the claim and had made provision for a guard at the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).

But no paltry Roman guard was going to stop this Comeback! Death had forever lost its sting. Jesus Christ mounted the greatest comeback ever recorded in history; His resurrection from the dead. Today we indeed serve a risen Savior. Let us rejoice in this truth and live for the One who once died and now lives forever, for it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him! It is for this truth that we must earnestly and faithfully contend!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You defeated physical death when You resurrected our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of that wondrous miracle of miracles we no longer have to face death with cringing fear, but in confident hope of the eternal life we will inherit. Thank You for Jesus, our anchor and our hope that holds us steady in the daily challenges of this life. Keep us longing for that which is yet to come and keep us faithful until that joyous hour. Amen.