Ready:
“They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull). They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get. Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified him.” – Marc 15:22-25
Set:
Perhaps you have experienced situations when someone does something sacrificial that benefits your team. Maybe one of your best players voluntarily sacrifices playing time to give other team members more chances to play. Maybe a parent or community member gives generously and sacrificially so that your team can purchase new uniforms. Whatever the situation, when we benefit from another’s sacrificial action, our response is genuine gratitude.
The book of Mark opens by telling us that this is “the gospel”—which means “good news”—“of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). At the heart of this good news is that Jesus willingly endured an unjust trial, cruel suffering and a brutal death on the cross for us. As the sinless Son of God, He sacrificed His life to atone for our sins, rescuing us from facing the just penalty for sins we deserve and reconciling us to the holy God who loves us. We are given the chance to experience the life-transforming, eternity-altering benefits of Christ’s sacrificial action.
Are you responding with genuine gratitude to this good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God? A grateful response first requires that you receive for yourself what Christ’s sacrificial death accomplished. This means that you own your sin, recognize your need for salvation from your sin and realize only Jesus can save you. You put your faith in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior, receiving the forgiveness for sin and reconciliation to God that Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection three days later achieved for you.
A grateful response also means that you willingly and joyfully follow Jesus with every area of your life. This is not an attempt to repay Christ since it is impossible to ever earn or make yourself worthy of His sacrifice for your benefit. Rather, you live for Jesus because you’ve experienced His sacrificial love. You give your undivided devotion to Christ because you’re deeply thankful to Him for the salvation and life He has given you.
On Good Friday, we remember Jesus’ great sacrifice for us. Our grateful response is to gladly embrace the charge of Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”
Go:
How does experiencing the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross transform your perspective on life and sports?
What helps you live and compete in ways that reflect gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice for you?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, I worship You and thank You for Your sacrificial death on the cross for my sake, enabling me to receive salvation and life. I pray that how I live and compete each day would be an expression of genuine gratitude to You. Amen.”