Throughout history, comebacks have been celebrated as incredible feats of resilience, determination and fortitude. Comeback stories connect with our own struggles and inspire us to rise to overcome and keep fighting. Still, successful comebacks are rare. In the sports world, even elite athletes have difficulty returning to their greatness after a prolonged pause. Competition is fierce. Even a minor decline in performance can mean the difference between victory or failure.
Widely discussed of late is a remarkable comeback in the political arena—the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who, after losing the 2020 presidential election, managed to stage a political comeback seen by many as one of legendary proportions. Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s 2024 election victory as “history’s greatest comeback.” Not since Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s has a person served non-consecutive terms as U.S. president—and Trump did it facing far more powerful resistance. Numerous attempts to shut him out, defame him and silence him ultimately didn’t work. He even survived two known assassination attempts.
However, while this return to power is certainly remarkable in the context of modern politics, it is by no means the greatest comeback in history. The Bible records some amazing comebacks. Yet there is one that far surpasses any other. The greatest comeback in history is that of Jesus Christ. Efforts to silence and destroy Him led to His actual death—but He was resurrected from the dead! Unlike any other comeback, Jesus’ return to life after His crucifixion is unparalleled, not only in its miraculous nature but also in its eternal significance, changing the entire trajectory of humanity’s future. And Jesus’ victory over death continues with the promise of His future return to rule the world—and setting the pattern for our own victory with Him.