The Greatest Comeback Ever

                Life brings us new experiences.  The latest for me was called "Mononucleosis".  In a brave attempt not to whine about it, I'll leave it at this: I felt dead for about a month.  Pulse?  Yes.  Braindead?  Also yes.  Of all that I recently experienced, which included Hepatitis (Okay, so allow me to whine just a little bit.  I had two illnesses at once!  Feel sorry for me, then we'll move on.  Ready?......Okay, move on.), the worst symptom was feeling braindead.  Lots of time to read, but no ability to concentrate.  Lots of time to study, but no ability to concentrate.  Lots of time to spend with my family, but I didn't care to interact. 
                For the most part, I felt like someone had found the off switch on Dave Burrows.  It was strange to be alive, but to feel dead.  Dead to hunger.  Dead to relationships.  Dead to motivation.  And I felt powerless to do anything about it all.  Dead.
                Then something happened during week 4.  I began to desire food again.  I began to spend time out in the living room instead of my bedroom.  I began to read.  I wanted to accomplish things.  I was motivated again.  One of my boys said, "It's good to have you back, Dad."  I was alive.  I'd made a comeback.  Dave Burrows: Resurrected! 
                Resurrection.  It's the theme of our Easter celebration.  Christians will get together that morning and remember that we believe in a resurrected Lord.  One who overcame Death and is alive and kicking.  One who wasn't defeated on the Cross, but actually won the battle.  Just as things looked unbelievably bleak for Christ's followers, Jesus made the greatest comeback of all time. 
                Okay, a very close second was when Hulk Hogan body slammed Andre The Giant and retained the Heavyweight championship at Wrestlemania III in front of 93,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome.  That was a great comeback, though slightly more predictable than Christ's. 
                The Cross looked like a total defeat.  Death has a way of doing that.  It's so used to getting the last word.  Death is used to being the end of something.  But Christ, the author of all life, brought resurrection.  He didn't stay down.  He didn't stay dead.  He was resurrected to life!  Resurrection overcomes Death.  Resurrection is a far superior power.  Resurrection truly gets the last word and it comes through Jesus Christ.  Death has lost and will simply continue to play its part in the universe until it eventually will cease to function (Rev. 20:14). 
                Those of us who know Christ, now participate in His life.  We have been promised resurrection life.  Eternal life.  Life that overcomes Death.  Because of this, Death has lost its sting.  We have no need to fear dying.  If we're honest, we have our preferences for how we die as well as preferences for how we don't want to die.  But regardless of how we go, we know where we go.  We go to be with Him.  We go to be with the winner of the great cosmic battle.  He holds the keys to Death and Hades as well as the title for "Greatest Comeback Ever".  That's Who we celebrate at Easter. 
                May we keep this in mind that day even as we dig in to our ham and scalloped potatoes after church that day.  Yes, it's good to have my appetite back. 
               

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