The Greatest Rivalry of All Time
You will stand on a side of this rivalry.
The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
Rome and Carthage.
Coco-Cola and Pepsi.
Oxford Languages says that a rivalry is a “competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.”
Another rivalry is found in the Bible - the greatest rivalry of all time. Jesus explains this rivalry.
The Greatest Rivalry
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44)
Jesus confronted the Pharisees who were opposing Him. He identifies the two sides of this rivalry.
On the devil’s side:
He is a murderer (death).
He is a liar and the father of lying (lies).
On Jesus’ side:
He is the life (John 14:6)
He is the truth (John 14:6)
Which Side Will You Choose?
On Jesus’ side, you have truth and life. Our world is full of lies - don’t you want the truth? Death has broken so many hearts, including yours and mine - don’t you want everlasting life?
On the devil’s side, you have death and lies. The devil is very good at what he does - lies are everywhere, death has a pretty good track record. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is God’s announcement to the world that He wins the “competition” between the greatest rivalry of all time.
O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
While you don’t have to choose a side between the Yankees and the Red Sox, you must choose a side of the greatest rivalry of all time.
In fact, you have already chosen a side in this rivalry. All have sinned (Romans 3:9) and, by sinning, have chosen lies and death (Romans 3:10-18).
Thankfully, Jesus offers you a way out - a chance to change sides (Romans 6:1-7).