Go Jesus!
I already knew the outcome. I knew he won his 18th medal in the London Olympics. But still, I watched. I watched into the early hours of the morning as Michael Phelps swam his last race as an Olympic athlete. I watched as he was interviewed about that race and what the Olympics had meant to him.
I watched and, as an American, shared in a very intangible way, in the glory of an Olympic swimmer that has been named the “Greatest Olympic Athlete of All Time,” a title bestowed upon him by the international organization that governs swimming.
Then I pondered why it is so easy for us to embrace and desire even to become a part of the glory of man and so hard for man to desire to become part of the glory of Jesus. Football and baseball fans are always saying, “We won” when the team they root for wins. They dress like the team, act like the team, know the team’s statistics, brag about their team, follow the star or hero of the team and even can quote statements made by members of the team. They believe, in some intangible way, they are part of the team.
And I am not begrudging those fans – those that want to be part of the glory of their hometown or college team. I’m just suggesting that we often forget that we belong to the team that has already won, will win every day that Jesus is made known and wins in the end – when it really counts, the Super Bowl, World Series, Olympics of life – eternity.
What would it look like if we followed Jesus like we do the Steelers or Michael Phelps?
The Stats
We would know the stats, which would be the Bible – or, at the very least, the Gospel message. We would read about our team every chance we got whenever anyone wrote about them. How lucky for us that there is that Bible again, forty different writers wrote about our team. And if that’s not enough, there are all these other people writing about our team from Pastors to Bible study teachers to ordinary members that have been inspired by our hero, Jesus.
The stats are easy.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” – Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
That’s the Gospel message… the big stats.
Bragging
Maybe bragging is the wrong word when we talk about Jesus. It’s part of that glorifying, but it’s more about making Him know. That’s what your Pittsburgh friend does when the Pirates beat the Braves. Well, Jesus is no different – He has defeated sin – He has defeated death. That’s bigger than the Super Bowl and the Olympics combined because no one else will win next year or in four years and no matter how many medals Michael Phelps wins, he will never walk on water. Jesus already did that.
So, how do we brag on Jesus? We brag on Him by living a life where He is part of our conversation, our life. We are happy when times are tough, Praise Jesus. Our kids are doing well in school, Praise Jesus. We also do it by following the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20a.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (NIV)
That’s some bragging I’d love to do. Jesus – He offers forgiveness, grace and love – and relationships with Himself, God the Father and His Spirit. It’s a free gift for all. I can brag about He changed my life… we all can. I’m not sure I can say the same for any professional team or athlete.
The Jersey
We could also dress like our team. No, I am not suggesting you get your robe and sandals out or that every shirt you wear has a Bible verse on it. You can if you like, but that is not the team wear. But God does set forth a way that we should dress – a way that honors Him.
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” – 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NIV)
No, that does not mean you can never wear nice clothing, but rather that you should not draw attention to yourself for your appearance. Your life should clothe you in the light of Jesus. Light and salt are our uniform.
“You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world…” Matthew 5:13-14 (NIV)
He Said…
We could also quote statements made by the team. Again, I am not suggesting that we quote the Bible just because we can. Rather, can know God’s word so that we can call upon it when we need it – when we are asked about Jesus, when we have decisions to make, when we go about our daily business of mothering, working, or whatever we do.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
A light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Team Spirit
The thing is, I don’t want to be a fan of Jesus… I am in a better place than that – I am a member of His family. Fans come and go and their teams change with the seasons. My belief in Jesus won’t change whether I am having a good day or a bad day, whether things are going as I want or not, whether there is joy or sadness around me. I am a child of God. I am a friend of Jesus.
And I don’t just have some intangible connection to His victory, I am part of it.
I am proof that Jesus saves. I am proof that He is victorious over sin – over the world.
I don’t want His glory – I want to glorify Him – to make Him known through His Spirit within me. I want my actions to glorify Him… not because I am good, but rather because He is the good that is in me.
“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)
So, as I watch the Olympics wind down and cheer for the track and field athletes as they have their moment of glory, I will do so remembering that all the glory goes to Jesus – the Greatest and Onl
y Savior of All Time.
I am saying a loud AMEN in response to this one! Yes, I love watching the Olympics and cheering on my favorites. I was excited when Michael Phelps won the most medals. I am amazed at how much discipline and talent and time it takes to become so good.
I only wish we Christians would develop some of those spiritual muscles by taking time to grow in our faith and knowledge. My desire is for Jesus to work in me and through me to impact a world who doesn’t know Him yet. May we be as excited about that.
Thank you for this reminder.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Resounding AMeN!! Thank your this encouraging and challenging post, my friend.
Amen.