I remember watching a football game between Boston College and Miami played on November 23, 1984. I had settled down to watch this game, knowing that the vaunted Hurricanes would beat up on Boston College. The game ended up being closer than anyone expected and with six second left BC trailed 45-41. The quarterback, Doug Flutie took the snap and rolled to his right to get away from pressure and let the ball fly. It came down above a few Miami defenders and landed in the arms of Gerald Phelan, Flutie's roommate. The BC players went crazy and the Orange Bowl got quiet. In my lifetime, this was one of the most remarkable endings I had ever seen in a college football game. The juggernaut Miami Hurricanes had been beaten by the lowly Boston College Eagles. It was an incredible ending which continues to be talked about and shown on TV.
Fast forward to Saturday evening, November 30th. We sat down to watch the final quarter of the Alabama-Auburn football game. Alabama was ranked #1 in the nation and undefeated. They were trying to win their third national championship in a row, but had to beat their arch-rivals to play for the SEC championship and then the national championship. With time winding down and the game tied, Alabama moved into Auburn territory. A run to the sidelined seemed to end the game, sending the game into overtime. The Alabama coaches wanted the officials to use replay to see if there was any time left on the clock. Auburn fans were upset because they wanted the game to go into overtime. The officials said there was one second on the clock, enough for Alabama to attempt a 57 yard field goal. The kicker sent the ball towards the uprights as time expired. The kick was accurate, just not long enough and fell short. Waiting in the end zone was an Auburn player, Chris Davis. He caught the ball and began to run towards his goal line, 109 yards away. Unbelievably, he kept going and ended up scoring the winning touchdown, destroying Alabama's hopes of another National Championship. It was an incredible ending. As we watched the final play unfold, my son and and were caught up in the moment. Though we had no rooting interest in either team, we were screaming and yelling because the ending was so incredible. This ending will be talked about and shown on TV for generations to come. In Alabama, this will be one of the most famous plays ever. Chris Davis will always be remembered for his winning score. Even now, I am amazed by the incredible way this game ended.
Two thousand years ago, a child was born in Bethlehem. That child grew up and began to minister in public. He healed the sick, the blame, the lame and the lepers. He brought hope and grace to those who were outcasts. He showed incredible love to those who had been hated and even those who hated Him. He raised the dead. Wherever He went, people wanted to touch Him and be with Him. But the religious leaders had other ideas. They wanted Him dead. So they had Him arrested, put on trials and then put to death. In a moment, His life was snuffed out and His followers were bewildered. How had this gone so horribly wrong? These followers had invested three years into this man. They knew He was the Messiah and would free Israel from Roman hands. Now He was dead and gone. A terrible ending to something that started out so promising. Death had been victorious and now they had no purpose, no mission, no energy. They only had fear because they were now being hunted.
BUT on the third day, the one who was beaten beyond recognition, who was crucified on the cross and who was placed in a a borrowed tomb would have an ending for the ages. In that one moment when the forces of evil were celebrating a victory, they were given a resounding defeat. Jesus, the Messiah, walked out of the grave, alive and free from the shackles of death. The King of the Jews was alive with a a message of grace, forgiveness and salvation. The most improbably comeback of all time. This was the greatest ending of any human event. Jesus is alive.
As we enter Advent season (Which is also college bowl season and the NFL season), please remember this ending. Please remember that the child became a man and died for your sins. Please remember that He conquered sin, death, Satan and Hell. Don't let Satan make a comeback by focusing your mind of presents, shopping deals, parties, trees and lights. The forces of darkness have been beaten but they haven't given up. Celebrate the eternal life you have because of the power of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus told us in John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." Let this reminder guide you during this Advent season.
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