ONCE AND FOR ALL

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Most of us have probably at one time or another watched a preview trailer of a movie or television show and then after watching the entire production realized it was all hype and little substance. Such was the case of the massively promoted 1988 heavyweight championship boxing match between Iron Mike Tyson (34-0) and Michael Spinks (31-0). For the fight Tyson was to receive $20 million dollars; Spinks, a paltry $13.5 million.

On July 27, 1988 the two heavyweights met in Atlantic City for what was advertised as the “Once and For All” fight. The bell rang and 91 seconds later it was over; only ten punches were landed (eight from Tyson; 2 from Spinks). Tyson knocked Spinks out in the first round. Ironically, the fight was the richest boxing event up to that time, grossing over $70 million dollars, but Michael Spinks never boxed again.

Of the twelve fundamental doctrines of the evangelical church, undoubtedly the most hated of the devil is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And for good reason---his fate (John 12:31-32) and the very foundation of Christianity itself rests on the validity of resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 13-17). The resurrection of Christ has been ridiculed, denied and reduced to a trivial fairytale by cynical skeptics and arrogant intellectuals, and yet the reality of the resurrection still stands.

The greatest conflict in the universe began on a Friday afternoon over 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe and Savior of the world willingly gave His life on the cross (John 10:17-18; 1 John 3:16). Satan controlled the crowds that condemned and crucified the Lord (Ephesians 6:12). He landed his best blow and really thought he had defeated Jesus (Genesis 3:15), and for three days he rejoiced. And then early on a Sunday morning, as the song goes, “Up from the grave He arose” (Luke 24:1-3). As victor in the conflict for the souls of man, Jesus raised His hands in triumph (Colossians 2:15). No hype, just sweet victory. Praise the Lord. Think about it. Happy Resurrection Day.