Bobby Fischer was a world chess champion.

There’s a story about a time when he went to see a film, called The Seventh Seal. A medieval knight plays a game of chess with death, the evil one.

As the film progresses, they make moves back and forth. Finally, the evil one makes a move and exclaims “Checkmate!” At that, the movie is over.

According to the story, Fischer then leaned over to his friend and said, “Why is he giving up? The king has one more move! The king has one magnificent move left that can turn the tide and win the game.”*

Wow, only a world chess champion would even know that! 

The reason I share that story is because it reminds me about what God has done for us at Easter. Just when everyone thought the game was over; just when it seemed as if the evil one had prevailed; just when it seemed that Jesus was defeated…

The King played one more move!

The tide was turned and the victory was won. “He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) The Saviour with nail marks in his hands raised them in victory over his people.

Well, I have good news for you. The God who did that then is the same God we worship now!

I realize that life can be horribly difficult. Dead-ends, despair and defeat may look like game-ending moves. But they’re not.

Have hope—not just generally, but for your own life specifically. 

Hope is never dead because Christ is alive!

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Notes:

–“His pain, your gain.” Good Friday sermon. Click here.

–*Tony Campolo, Stories That Feed Your Soul (California: Regal Light, 2010), 118.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.