Sometimes we love to root for the underdog. That’s why we have sayings like, “It’s not over ‘til it’s over.” Too many times, we’ve witnessed amazing comebacks by sports teams, individuals, and politicians that took everybody by surprise. I can’t help but think of the iconic photo of a triumphant Harry Truman holding a copy of the Chicago Daily Tribune aloft. The newspaper proudly declares, “Dewey Defeats Truman.”
At times the outlook may appear bleak, but someone with perseverance and patience will abruptly shock us with unexpected success. I imagine it was like that for Jesus’ disciples after his resurrection. They had counted him out, considered him gone. All their work, their preaching, their education suddenly meant nothing. Now they were on their own with no direction outside a few misunderstood promises from the Lord. Then, things change. The underdog makes his comeback in a big way.
Some women came to the disciples, breathlessly claiming an impossibility—the dead Jesus was now the living Messiah! He was risen and planning to meet them. Them—these men, huddled together like frightened mice trying to avoid the gaze of the Romans. Them—the ones who fled, denied, abandoned him. Them—his called, his chosen, his friends. No rally in the history of man can compare with this: Christ the Lord is risen today! Hallelujah!
That’s something to think about.
Westside Church of Christ 