An Easter parable from UFC
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Just one more.
That’s motivation for the marathon runner. “Just one more mile. You got this!”
Same for the high school football player lifting with his teammates. “Just one more rep. You got this!”
Works for the salesperson, too. “Just one more phone call. You got this!”
Just one more.
But we’re human, and our default usually isn’t motivation, inspiration or even perspiration.
It’s often the polar opposite.
Just one more cookie.
Just one more time to hit the snooze button.
Just one more scroll through my social media feed.
Just one more chance to get hammered with my friends.
Just one more.
My son is into UFC.
Truth be told, I wouldn’t know a Kimura from an Omoplata if you offered me a million bucks to tell you. But I do like to watch a good fight now and then. (Remember, I’m human.)
And if it means David and I get to hang out, enjoy some pizza, and explore the nuances together, then I’m in.
I’ve got to admit, I now have a deeper appreciation for the sport. The men and women we’ve watched over the past few weeks are pretty incredible athletes. Lean, strong, flexible, smart and tough.
Sometimes, there’s blood. Sometimes, there’s a tapout. Other times, a fighter gets knocked unconscious.
That’s how the game is played. And though it may seem rather barbaric, there are rules to be followed.
Yet there’s one I still can’t get used to seeing:
Just one more.
Yes, just more more.
Here’s what I mean: When a fighter is down on the mat and appears to be just a hair away from slumber, the referee often allows the opponent to pounce and land a finishing blow.
Just one more.
No matter how many times I’ve witnessed it happen, it’s still shocking. It’s still unsettling. It still doesn’t make sense to me.
Maybe it’s because I grew up watching Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Boom Boom Mancini, Mike Tyson, and Hector “Macho” Camacho in the ring. When they knocked someone to the mat, the referee pushed them to their corner.
And maybe it’s because I’m well-versed in the rules of other professional sports.
When Big Ben gets tackled, you can’t jump on him to land “just one more” hit.
When LeBron gets fouled and is on the ground, you can’t jump on him to commit “just one more foul.”
And when a baserunner bulldozes a catcher at home plate, he can’t return to do it “just one more time.”
Just one more.
It just doesn’t seem fair to me. The fighter can no longer defend himself, but it’s OK for his opponent to keep swinging.
As we approach Good Friday tomorrow, I can’t help but equate this to the humiliation and crucifixion of Christ.
Mocked. Spit on. Punched. Kicked. Scourged beyond recognition.
And that was BEFORE he picked up his own cross and trudged up the hill to Calvary.
Here’s what’s even more unsettling. He was defenseless by CHOICE.
That was the supernatural fight strategy from his corner. Let the soldiers take their best shots. Let the crowd shout their most vile insults. The only way for you and I to win this cosmic battle was for Jesus to lose his life.
Just one more.
Every time we commit “just one more” sin, he had to endure just more more blow.
Every time we choose to pursue greed over good, he had to endure just one more crack of the whip.
Every time pride and entitlement replace humility and gratitude, he had to endure just one more minute on the cross.
For every misstep, act of rebellion and foolishness we carry out, Christ bore our punishment.
About 3 o’clock tomorrow, it will look pretty dark for all of us. The situation will appear dire.
Satan will wind up for just one more blow to finish off the Messiah. But first, he will preen around the Octagon like Connor McGregor. He will place his hand to the ear like Hulk Hogan for the crowd to make some noise. During this time of gloating, the enemy will miscalculate the power of our Hero.
And then things will go quiet.
Think back to how the first disciples must have felt during the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
All they could do was watch. And wait. And pray the outcome would somehow change.
“What just happened?”
“Will they come for us, too?”
“Wasn’t Jesus supposed to be the Savior of the world?”
“Now what?”
More than 2,000 years later, we’ve got a huge advantage over Peter, Matthew, James and friends.
We know how the story ends.
When we awaken on Sunday morning, we will stand amazed to see that Jesus has eluded the finishing blow. And not only that, he got up and left altogether.
And when the women race from the tomb to let everyone know he’s not there, they’ll summon US back to the Octagon for the official decision.
Our hand will be raised.
We can rejoice.
The title is ours.
Even though we never got close to the battle, we won.
Because Someone chose to fight in our place.
If you know the parable I just told and you believe it’s true, heaven awaits. You future is secure. We will be in the presence of God forever.
Even though we’ve done nothing to deserve it.
I’d say that’s some pretty GREAT news. I’d say that’s a reason to celebrate. I’d say now is another wonderful opportunity to express gratitude. And if we’re ever unsure how many times we should should say “thank you” this weekend, here’s a good rule of thumb:
Just one more.
Have a fantastic Easter, everyone!
(Tim Kolodziej is the author of this piece and founder of EnspireU.com. When he’s not behind a laptop, he can be found inside a gym helping young athletes create their own unique future — one rep at a time. Click here to connect with him by email.)