End Game Word on the Week 6th December 2020.
Chess problems have their own attraction especially when there are no other chess players around. Those in the daily paper always hinge on an unexpected move which inexorably leads to victory. There is no way for your opponent to escape defeat. The result is inevitable! And it all comes down to that inspired move.
I don’t know if Boris Johnson is a chess player but he could do with a good move if he is to come away from his phone call with Ursula von der Leyen unscathed! The pieces on the board have been locked for some time with neither the black nor white getting the upper hand. “Taking back control” comes down to his next move.
But Boris is notoriously indecisive. He may try to convince Ursula that she must make the next move! It’s a choice neither of them would want to make. Ursula’s ‘queen’ does not retire until the end of the month whereas Boris’s ‘Queen’ prefers the distant supportive role. It may come down to the fishermen who are the pawns in the game!
The man who set up the chessboard, Nigel Farage, gleefully looks on. His latest tweet to his erstwhile partner in the game is scarcely the encouragement that Boris so badly needs. He tweeted “This really is Boris Johnston’s moment of truth”. Instead of being the White Knight, Nigel, it seems, is only a Rook that twitters!
There was a moment of decision for the Disciples of Jesus. They too had reached the end game with their Leader crucified. He had told them this would happen but they were more interested in making their own moves than to pay much attention! Now it had happened. Checkmate seemed inevitable. They seemed left behind to pick up the pieces! Then it happened!
He appeared! The master stroke occurred. He had accomplished salvation. Sinners now had a substitute who had taken their place. Dr Luke said the only ‘moment of truth’ that matters had happened. The Holy Spirit had him write: – Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (St Luke Chapter 24 verses 45 to 49).
The Disciples were transformed by the victory and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is still making disciples down through the centuries to this day.