Not everyone is a fan of the “Rocky” movie series. Someone might ask, “What’s the point of watching two grown men standing in a ring and trying to beat each other’s brains out?” Now, how can you argue with that?

Column: Across the Pastor’s Desk, By the Rev. Jim Rushton

First Lutheran Church, in Glenville
However, once in a while, our star Rocky has a one-liner that keeps buzzing in our heads.

In one of the movies the “bad guy,” Clubber Lang stands eye to eye with Rocky before a fight and says “I’m gonna bust you up.” Without missing a beat Rocky has something to say: “Go for it.”

Now, some of you might wonder what all this has to do with life in the church or Lenten season. Well, I hope you will dwell with me for a moment on Rocky’s gem, “Go for it.” What Rocky means is, let his adversary do everything he may to knock him silly and knock him out.

But Rocky isn’t going down without a fight. He has invested his whole self in readiness for this confrontation. And Rocky, well, he might be beat to a pulp, but he is resolved to be the last man standing.

In a spiritual way, we too are in a fight. We’re fighting the good fight of faith. We do not wish to be driven to our knees by the likes of the powers of Satan, sin and death. And yet, who are we to claim victory over such opponents! Enter our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is able to defeat all comers.

Yes, let all the powers of darkness do what they can. They may even put to death the carpenter of Nazareth, but they cannot overcome the author of our salvation. Jesus has “gone for it,” all the way to the cross and the grave and has the scars to prove it.