Creator, Father, King #243

We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.

MANY YEARS AGO, A miracle took place in Lake Placid, New York. This wasn’t a supernatural miracle, mind you. But it was a miracle nonetheless: “The Miracle on Ice.”

As the 1980 Winter Olympics descended upon Lake Placid, the Cold War was raging between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviet Olympic ice hockey team was a powerhouse. Featuring mostly professional players, the Russians had won the previous four Olympic gold medals.

Meanwhile, the US squad, consisting of amateur college players, was seeded seventh. Three days before the Olympics began, the Soviets crushed the US, 10–3, in an exhibition game.

When the teams met in the Olympic semifinals, most onlookers probably thought the outcome had already been determined. But the plucky Americans refused to capitulate, earning a 4–3 win in what is often called the greatest upset in US sports history. As the final seconds ticked away, TV broadcaster Al Michaels yelled his now-classic phrase: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” (Two days later, the US beat Finland for the gold medal.)

That’s the beauty of sports: the outcome is never determined until the game happens. Jesus’ resurrection, though, was different. The result had been predetermined in eternity past.

What’s It Mean?

God doesn’t deal in contingencies, Plan Bs, or what ifs. He is the sovereign Lord of the universe. All things are within his knowledge and control, including the death and resurrection of his Son.

Look at what the apostle Peter said in Acts 2:24: “God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.” Jesus’ victory was always part of God’s plan. Death could never contain the Creator of life!

But there’s another wonderful, predetermined outcome at work here. Look again at today’s verse.

Thanks to Jesus’ resurrection, one day God will raise all true believers from the dead, clothe them with eternal bodies that will never decay (1 Corinthians 15:12-57), and bring them into eternal fellowship with him in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). That’s infinitely greater than any sports upset!

For all Christians, God has already predestined the eternal outcome of their faith. It’s a glorious guarantee, sealed by the power and promise of the risen Savior.

Do you believe in miracles? Yes!

Now What?

Read 1 Corinthians 15 to learn more about every believer’s future resurrection body.

Did You Know?

In 2004, Disney released a movie called Miracle based on the story of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team.