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“One Yard Short”

Super Bowl XXXIV had an epic finish with the St. Louis Rams hanging on to beat the Tennessee Titans 23-16, and Kurt Warner winning the MVP. Warner may have been the best player, but the key play involved Rams’ linebacker, Mike Jones, actually hanging on for the final tackle.

The Rams jumped out early to a 16-0 lead before the Titans scored 16 consecutive points and tied the game with 2:12 left in regulation. Warner responded by throwing a 73-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver, Isaac Bruce, to take the seven-point lead. The Titans got the ball back and quickly moved down the field to the Rams’ ten-yard line.

With six seconds on the clock and down seven points, Titans’ quarterback, Steve McNair, stepped back to pass and hit his receiver, Kevin Dyson, for the catch. But as Dyson ran and extended his arm toward the end zone, Mike Jones prevented the touchdown causing Dyson to fall one yard short.

Jones was the hero for his tackle and the Rams were the Super Bowl Champs. The Titans can look back at that game and realize just how close they really were, but ultimately they ran out of time and fell short by one yard.

This momentous Super Bowl memory is a wonderful illustration of the Gospel. Before we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we all fall short of the glory of God. We can never do enough in our own strength to earn salvation and eternal life. All of our efforts fall at least one yard short. We can spend our entire lives trying to be a good person in our own strength, but that still results in being separated from God.

The only way to close that one-yard gap is through Jesus. He came to earth, died on the cross, and rose again. When we place our faith and trust in Him, then we are saved. It’s not by our works, but it’s because of God’s love and grace.

The Titans ran out of time in their attempt to get in the end zone. Today, let’s make sure we have given our life to Jesus, so that we no longer have to worry about being “one yard short.” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. I believe He is who He said He is and I recognize I need Him for salvation and eternal life. I’m thankful it’s not based on my own efforts because I know I fall short of your glory. Thank you for your love and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.