Humility in SportSample

We love the story of a comeback in sport. It’s golden entertainment to see the fallen hero redeem themselves and be exalted and heralded once again. Think Tiger Woods at the 2019 Masters as a broken man, physically and emotionally, returned to savour victory at the most famous of golf tournaments.

Maybe we love these stories of struggle and failure followed by exaltation because they mirror the story at the heart of the universe.

Jesus “made himself nothing…becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” before “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:6-9

Jesus went as low as he could go – condemned and cursed by the Father. He fell in the fullest sense. Remarkably though, unlike stories of sporting redemption, Jesus’ fall was planned and deliberate. He chose to die.

In Philippians 2:9 we are told it is because of Jesus’ humility in dying that he is exalted. It is because of his obedience and his love that God honours him and restores him back to the highest place, alongside his Father.

And where is Jesus now? From the lowest of the low to the highest of the high:

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus rules and reigns in heaven, and the comeback is complete.

Before Jesus ascended, Jesus said to his disciples:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:18-19

Jesus’ ascension, and his place now in heaven is the basis for our mission today.

We go to our clubs and teams with the greatest news in the world and we’re called to share it. We call people to bow to Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord because Christ has been given all authority.

Our motivation for evangelism is not just that people need saving, but that Jesus deserves to be honoured.

So today, and in the coming weeks, as you go into the sport God has placed you, you are calling on people to recognise that God has exalted Jesus to the highest place.

You may stumble over your words and wish you said things differently but be encouraged that you go with the authority of the one who has been given all authority.

And be encouraged that because of your union with Christ, you also are secure and safe in your salvation. If you have trusted in Christ, despite all those times you do mess up, there is a confidence in knowing you will be raised to the place Jesus is.

So this Game Day, go and speak with confidence of Jesus, the risen and exalted one, the ultimate comeback King.

Pray

Dear Lord,

Thank you that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to you, Lord Jesus and so we can go and speak of you with confidence. Help us today to speak boldly of you in our clubs and teams.

Amen

Finally take a few minutes now to pray by name for those in your club or team who don’t yet know Jesus, that you’d have an opportunity to speak to them about Jesus this Game Day.