Watching sports these days is frustrating, whatever happened to letting your skills or the plays you make speak for themselves. One might argue trash talking is part of sports and I’m apt to agree but does one have to be demonstrative after every play. This type of bravado has gotten so out of control that players engage in braggadocios acts even when their team is losing. Their hyperactivity and overzealous celebrations undermine their skills, the sport and the focus on team. Often, today’s athletes conduct themselves as more important than the game and as larger than life.
Jesus never focused on himself:
He always centered on fulfilling the playbook of God the Father!
In John 2, Jesus completes one of the most significant plays in his short public ministry. Jesus enters the Temple where he witnesses payday lenders, vendors, and other venture capitalist activities. Filled with righteous indignation, v. 15, “Jesus made a whip of small ropes. He used it to make them all leave the House of God along with the sheep and cattle. He pushed the money off the tables and turned the tables over”. Placing himself in danger Jesus does not beat his own chest nor seek attention but defiantly speaks a word of rebuke, v. 16, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Jesus understood his purpose was larger than life and knew he would be misunderstood and rejected by the multitudes. Yet, he always presented hope and pointed to fulfillment of Old Testament promises. He often perplexed his hearers; however, over 2,000 years later his promises and the truth continues to resonate in the lives of over 2 billion of his followers worldwide (2011 Pew Forum Research). After ridding the Temple of evildoers, Jesus makes a statement which could be construed as braggadocios, v. 19:
“Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up”.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ time were confounded by his words but this statement foreshadowed the greatest play to ever happen in world history. Jesus being the consummate team player follows a game plan that would lead to a Friday filled with violence, disgrace, suffering and his ultimate execution on a cross. He never beat his chest, never exalted himself even his last breaths centered on God and the Kingdom of God. Jesus remained humble always knowing that his journey was about God’s will being done on earth as it is heaven.
Friday was not an end but a beginning!
Sunday morning marked the impossible! In sports another athlete always comes along lending comparison to a former superstar athlete. But, over 2,000 years ago after being crucified, Jesus fulfills his promise: “Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up” completing a play that had never before been accomplished and never will be duplicated. Every Easter Sunday since - thousands, millions, now billions celebrate the greatest play ever – Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was raised from the dead:
His tomb is empty. Jesus is triumphant over death, sin and evil!
The greatest play ever was not limited to or for one person or one team; in fact, Jesus made this play for everyone – “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16).
Share the greatest play ever with someone who has yet to have faith in Him!
Easter is the play that everyone has opportunity to know, accept and celebrate!!
Much Love,
Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community
Hoover, AL
Our Vision: “A diverse community of faith, inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples.”
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