“At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lay dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever” (Daniel 12:1-3)

It was January 11th, 1987, when time was running out for the number two team trying to stay alive in the NFL playoffs against the number one team. It was the AFC Championship game between the first-place Cleveland Browns and the second-place Denver Broncos. Cleveland was favored to win by three. It was the fourth quarter and time was running out.

The Browns scored a touchdown and jumped to a 20-13 lead. Denver then mishandled the ensuing kickoff but recovered with the ball on their two-yard line with five minutes and 32 seconds to play. As a senior in high school at the time and a Bronco fan, I can tell you that there was a pit in my stomach at the reality of the Broncos having to go 98 yards to get a must-have touchdown, and nothing less.

But with that also came a strong hope. When I saw quarterback John Elway walk onto the field and standing in his own end zone. He was known as Mr. Comeback. Elway chalked up a record 47 fourth quarter come-from-behind comebacks during his pro career. Of those 47 last-minute heroics by Elway, the Broncos scored the winning points 21 times under two minutes, 13 times with less than one minute left in the game.

As the Broncos huddled up in their own end zone, Broncos offensive guard Keith Bishop, referring to the Browns, said to his teammates, “We got him right where we want him.” And from there, John Elway led the drive and marched the Broncos 98 yards to send the game to overtime. They went on to win by a field goal in that overtime period.

You know the words of Daniel 12:1-3 have a lot in common with the drive. “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever”

Daniel says that on this world’s history clock, it’s about to hit triple zero. What does it all mean? It means the clock is ticking down. Time is short. History is coming to an end. Daniel calls us back to look at that clock, and to be very aware that we are running out of time. And there’s no doubt that for many of us, goodness and victory seem 98 yards downfield with near-impossible odds and a formidable opposing team against us.

This world is definitely an away stadium for Christians and the righteousness of God. Scripture consistently reminds us of the darkness in this world and the destructive effect of our sins. And our sin has backed us up against our own goal line, with the devil accusing and taunting our loss. But that’s when on to the field walks our captain and leader, Jesus.

And when we turn our eyes upon Him and we remember His career, His life, hope returns like a light piercing the darkness. Jesus first walked onto this field at Christmas. God in the flesh, walking and living among us. He healed the lame, made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and raised the dead to life. Talk about Mr. Comeback!

There is no one greater. Jesus performed the incredible drive toward the cross where on Good Friday the world declared, “Game over.” Jesus declared, “Game won” in those words, “It is finished.” Our failures, sins, brokenness, the devil, and all evil – death itself – defeated.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank You for coming onto the field of this life in our world, that You do not turn your back and stay on the sidelines, but You entered into this challenge with us. And You did lead down the field of our lives carrying our sins, our burdens, our failures, carrying them to the cross and winning the victory for us.

Grant to us that assurance as we focus our eyes on You, that no matter what we see around us, we might recall that, even though time is ticking and coming close to an end, we already know the victory has been secured by You. We thank You and praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen.