From The Pastor’s Desk:
The Champion
I wonder if you've ever heard the contemporary Christian song called The Champion? It was performed by an artist named Carmen and it represents the gospel as a sort of heavyweight boxing match between Jesus and the Devil. It’s the kind of music that could only be made in the ‘80s.
The song pictures this big arena, filled on one side with saints and angels all wearing white. Moses, David, Elijah, Abraham. They're all there. On the other side are all these sinners and demons wearing black. The great villains of history: Hitler, Stalin, Al Capone. They're all there.
And in the middle of the arena is a boxing ring. In one corner sits Satan. He is huge and terrible looking. In the other corner sits Jesus. He looks rather small and plain. In the middle of the ring is God the Father. He's the referee.
As the fight begins, Satan comes out with a fury. He throws everything he has at Jesus. But Jesus just covers up and the blows fall off Him. Satan cannot hurt Him. And yet, Jesus does not take a big swing at his opponent.
The match goes on and on, and appears to be headed for a draw. But then, in the final round, Jesus comes out and exchanges a look with His Father. This time when Satan comes at Him, He doesn't defend Himself. He just stands there. Satan hits Him--once, twice, three times. He starts to bleed from His wrists, from His feet, from His head.
The fans dressed in black start to go wild. Those dressed in white look on in stunned horror. Satan is nearly foaming at the mouth now as he winds up to deliver one last, fatal blow. He brings a huge roundhouse punch right to Jesus' ribs. Jesus' side opens up and the blood and the water come flowing out. Jesus falls to the mat, dead.
Satan is ecstatic. The demons are starting to tear down the house. It seems they have won. But then something unusual happens. God the Father, the referee, starts to count, but He counts backwards...
10... 9... 8 ...
Satan doesn't get it. He thinks he has won. But the count goes on...
7... 6... 5...
Satan starts to get nervous. "Hey God, you're counting the wrong way. What's going on?"
4... 3...
Jesus, crumpled on the mat, starts to move. Now, suddenly, it is the demons who are stunned into
silence.
2... 1!
Jesus stands back up, and Satan falls over in dismay. The fight is over, but it is Jesus who has won. He is the Champion!
It’s an over-the-top kind of song. If you don’t believe me, look it up on Youtube. It’s a fun 8 minutes. But I love the concept of God counting backwards. The image of the defeated Christ rising off the mat.
What Satan thought was his great achievement turned out to be the signature on his own death warrant. What looked to be the triumph of evil was in fact the triumph of good.
Jesus’ victory over death and the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:55:
Where, O death, is your victory?
Were, O death is your sting?
…thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through Jesus Christ.
As we get ready for Easter on April 5 it is this victory that we celebrate. Be sure to invite your family and friends to come and experience the power of Jesus’ Resurrection!
April Birthdays
1 Lois Stauffer, Tiffany Sweeney, Taylor Kramer
3 Dalton Schell
6 Brent Janssen
9 Lila Gruelke
10 Carol Rewerts
11 Dave White
22 Julie (Hearn) Lund
23 Marlys Saathoff, Darlene Slocum
28 Emy (Osterbuhr)Trees
29 Michael Shafer
April Anniversaries
3 Robert & Kristen Wix
4 Merle & Dolores Hoodjer
5 Chuck & Kathy Smith
6 Steve & Jennifer Heeren
14 Mark & Jodi Bangasser
19 Arlin & Greta Eberline
Greeting & Refreshments for Fellowship Time
April 5 – Easter: No Fellowship
April 12 - Ryan & Kristen Fleshner, James Seehusen
April 19 – Lois Stauffer, Wendy Dralle
April 26 - Arlin & Greta Eberline, Wendy Dralle
April Sound/Projector Operator Schedule
April 5 - TBD
April 12– TBD
April 19 - Matt Eberline
April 26 - Ryan Fleshner
Video Operator Schedule
April 5 - James Seehusen
April 12 - Michael Shafer
April 19 - Lucas Junker
April 26 - Jodi Bangasser
April Praise Team Schedule
April 5 - Praise Team 1 (Denise)
April 12 - Praise Team 2 (Ruth)
April 19 - Praise Team 3 (Kelly/Greta)
April 26 - Praise Team 4 (Denise)