“The Boxer” is a song that was recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel on their fifth studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Water. To avoid being sued by one of the best duos of folk rock, I will attempt to summarize a stanza without using the exact words. 

The song depicts a fighter who is against the ropes; he’s taken punches, and yet he is still standing. Despite leaving the ring, he is still a fighter. I will give you a second to sing the refrain that follows. … Okay, back to the devotion.  

On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Some have compared Jesus’ fight to save us to a boxer in a ring. Agree or disagree? You can agree in the fact that Jesus went into the ring, went toe to toe with the old evil foe, and defeated him. He delivered a knockout punch to Satan, death, and our sins: “It is finished.”

You can disagree because a boxer wins one fight and soon has to defend his title or fight again. With Jesus this was a one-time fight to save humanity. The Greek word for our verse above carries with it the idea that it was a one-time sacrifice with ongoing effects. This means your fight, dear reader, is over; the battle is won. Jesus experienced the cuts, the anger, the shame, and he is NOT leaving you. The fight is over, but the Savior and his presence still remain. Cue the refrain …