For college basketball fans like me, the phrase “March Madness” refers to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. As most of you know, I love college basketball and the NCAA tourneys. But the phrase, “March Madness” may mean something completely different to you.

Your “March Madness” may be the rush to get your tax returns prepared. Or it may be all of the preparations that go into taking a spring break with your family or having a college student come home for spring break. Could it be in Michigan that “March Madness” means the long winter has gotten to you and you’re suffering from a classic case of cabin fever?

“March Madness” may have been something completely different the year Jesus died. Jesus’ enemies were “mad” and wanted to eliminate any threat that Jesus posed. The people were “mad” for a messiah. So they welcomed Jesus as the long awaited liberator of the nation and hoped to celebrate the newly won freedom that He would bring. Satan was “mad” because he knew he was facing the ultimate battle. All of his attempts to keep Jesus from reaching Jerusalem had failed. The ultimate battle would be played out on a mountain called Calvary and in a tomb nearby.

Some of the people thought Jesus would be “mad” if He came to Jerusalem because of the threats against His life. The odds makers were betting that He wouldn’t come. But He did! It wasn’t madness that drove Jesus to Jerusalem. It wasn’t fate that took His life. Jesus wasn’t a mad man. He was a man on a mission.

It was God’s justice that said that sins had to be punished. It was God’s love that said His Son, Jesus the Christ, would take that punishment on Himself. It was God’s power that raised Jesus from the dead, the greatest victory of all time.

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament is played every year. But the battle on Mount Calvary was only fought one time. Jesus paid the full price for sin. The victory has been won. Sin, death and Satan have been defeated.

March is a time to remember and to celebrate the victory that Jesus won for all people. You may not remember who won the NCAA tourney in years past. You may not even care. But don’t forget who won the battle of Mount Calvary. Remember and put your trust in the God who loves you, forgives you and gives you life.

Thanks for being a part of God’s team at Peace.

Pastor Larry Courson