BETTER THAN THE SUPER BOWL

Carol and I enjoy watching football and Sunday were thrilled to see our favorite team, the Denver Broncos, win the AFC (American Football Conference) championship. They are a great team and we wish them well in the Super Bowl on February 2. Quarterback Peyton Manning is a remarkably talented athlete and student of the game. Several years ago I wrote about him and his football family in my book, DAILY WALK WITH JESUS, in a devotion coincidentally meant to be read on February 2.

We also watched the NFC (National Football Conference) championship game in which the Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers. After the game one of the Seahawks players shocked the interviewer with some insulting words, words I am sure today he wishes he had not spoken. 

After the game Carol and I watched a short video on Facebook which contained a wonderful Christian witness from several young Seahawks players, including their Quarterback Russell Wilson and one of their coaches. A pastor named Mark Driscoll asked them, "Who is Jesus?" Here are some of their comments:

"Jesus is everything, He'll meet you at the worst time of your life and or at your highest."  "He's the Alpha and the Omega." "Jesus is love and He comforts us." "He is the Son of God, who humbly came to earth, and all He gives us is free."  "He's the greatest treasure in the universe."

One comment that drew some smiles from the other athletes was, "Jesus is better than the Super Bowl. When the Super Bowl is over and behind us, Jesus will still be there for us." 

Well said! Our world adulates the celebrity, the rich and famous, the gifted athlete and the movie star. We mimic them, wearing their fashions and emulating their styles. But mimicking the rich and famous can also lead us into the temptation of  narcissism and self-adulation. Thus, when we hear Christian witness coming from their mouths, we are almost shocked. 

In our increasingly secular world, we are surprised to hear public praise for Jesus Christ. In a culture that denies and defames God, we are grateful for those willing to give Him honor, whether in public or in private. We should be thankful that amid money and power and success, people will give glory to God instead of self. In that way we should emulate them. 

After all, it was our Lord Jesus Himself who said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

In Jesus Christ, we are all winners!