Underdogs & Comebacks

Twenty years ago, I was the starting center for the Gauley Bridge High School football team - the Travellers. The mascot is not a reference to traveling salesmen but to the favorite horse of the greatest, most honorable and highly respected general of the Civil War on either side of the conflict - Robert E. Lee.
But regardless of the sport, the Travellers were always the underdog. Always.
Except in girls basketball (who made 2 state tournament appearances), we were never favored to win. And that might be why I've always favored the underdog and appreciated great comebacks regardless of the team or sport.

As far as underdogs and comebacks go, here's a few off the top of my head that I really appreciated:
- The 2001 GMAC Bowl, Marshall University vs. East Carolina.
Marshall overcame a 30 point deficit at halftime to defeat ECU 64-61 in double overtime.

- A good underdog from 2012 is the Sugar Bowl where #21 Louisville handed #3 Florida their Gator tails and sent them packing.

- M*A*S*H the television series was a comeback kid long before it was a highly acclaimed 'dramedy'; the network was going to cancel the series but it won so many Emmy's that it gained its audience in the summer reruns. Therefore, the network renewed it - and again for 10 more consecutive seasons.

- President Richard Nixon was a comeback legend. He rose quickly in Congress as a Representative then Senator and while still a young man, was chosen as the Vice-President to Ike. He was counted as 'out' because of an accusation of taking bribes; but on national TV he 'wowwed' the nation with the famous 'Checkers' speech. Kept on the ticket, he later debated Kruschev in the White House kitchen, and put him to shame.
Then he lost to JFK in 1960, lost the Governorship of California to Jerry Brown in 1962 and was gone from public life for years. Then in 1968, out of nowhere, he returns and is elected the President of the United States; wins reelection in 1972, but resigns in disgrace in 1974.
Yet, in the 1980's & 1990's he returned as a well-respected authority on foreign affairs to which every president from Regan to his death turned to for advice and leadership.

But the greatest comeback ever recorded came from the greatest man who ever lived. The end of the story tells the whole story:
'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is RISEN!...
But go, tell His disciples - and Peter -  that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.'
         - Mark 16:6-7 (KJV)

When Christ stepped out of the borrowed tomb, He completed the greatest comeback ever known to mankind. He had spent three days dead but was then resurrected by the power of God. When you put the resurrection up against any 'comeback,' nothing even comes close to Jesus Christ; and it is still that way. Nothing even comes close to our Lord.

But in looking at this passage, two words jump out which shout grace throughout the universe. Those two words are 'and Peter,' and they tell us that like our lord, there is a 'comeback' waiting in the heart of every man and woman in the world.

The last time Peter had seen Christ, Jesus had shot a look at him while the Lord stood trial. Peter had just denied Jesus for the final time. The Scripture tells us that this look was a fixed stare; it was as if the Lord was looking right through Peter and into his soul. When Peter realized what he had done, which took place just as Jesus had said hours earlier, he went out and wept bitterly.
In his defense, Peter may have believed he had forfeited his own salvation because Jesus had said that if anyone denied Him before man, He would deny them before His Father in heaven. So, it isn't a far jump to think that Peter believed he had just lost his salvation.

Now, the message to the women at the tomb could have been anything, but it was in fact a message to the disciples in general and to Peter in particular that the Lord would meet them in Galilee. Let me give you Pastor Jack's Standard Translation -
'Go and tell Peter that one flop doesn't make you a failure.'
'Go and tell Peter that I have more for him to do.'
'Go and tell Peter that I know his true heart and I'll see him in Galilee.'

Now, I know I've played loosely with the actual Greek text, but in the instance give me some lattitude because what we're talking about is second chances and great comebacks. And Peter was about to make a great comeback, not because he was anything special but because the Holy Spirit had made him something special.
A few days later Peter would meet Jesus on a beach in Galilee. On that beach Peter would be reconciled to the Lord and he would receive his charge anew. He experienced grace and forgiveness and Peter would never forget it. In his books written to the early church, the same lessons of grace he learned at the feet of Christ - he would teach to those young Christians.
Oh, and after this meeting on the beach, Peter would never again deny the Lord; even when it meant death.

Peter stands for all time as what can happen with every person - there is a comeback and a restoration awaiting every person who will trust the Lord.
- For some people, that comeback is salvation - renewed and revived as never before. But there are many Christians who need to make a spiritual comeback beyond what they are now to become what the Lord has created them to be in His name.
- For some, it is a couple who in their marriage is facing brokenness but they need a comeback. There is one waiting, but only through the power of Christ.
- And for some, those who are sick, they need a comeback that only God can provide; not spiritually but physically beyond their sickness and into health. Such is my story at this hour.

In less than 12 hours, I will go into surgery and by the end of the day so much more knowledge will be uncovered and much will be decided - much beyond what has been revealed.
Less than two months ago, I was told that I had stage 4, incurable cancer and that my life could only be extended. Basically, I was a lost cause; but the last thing one doctor said before he left the room was, 'Miracles do happen sometimes...'

For weeks, so many around the world have been praying for that miracle that I have asked for of God. That our great and powerful Lord would move as only He can move and do what only He can do and touch me in such a way that only He can receive the glory and credit for what has happened - that I walk out of that hospital and drive away from Cleveland cancer free with a lot of years to live for Him.
I didn't care if He moved through the doctors or by a miraculous shot of lightening through the ceiling; I just wanted Him to move on my behalf.

In the morning, every person who has prayed for me and with me will find out if we have been praying in the will of God or according to our own will. But how ever this turns out, God will still be on His throne and will still be full of infinite love and mercy.

The greatest comeback in history is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but God wants a comeback to happen in every person's life - if we would just follow Him and listen to His voice. And there is a comeback awaiting each person who follows Him and heeds His Word; but we must trust in Him and His Word for His Spirit to make our hearts and souls come alive for Him in our lives.
That's what happened to Peter and it can happen to us the same way; but like Peter, it must start with repentance and then reconciliation. Only then will we be restored and rejuvenated for the Lord Jesus Christ.

And I hope that you and me, where ever we are, become a great comeback story for the King of Kings.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.