“Do you believe in miracles?” Any hockey player who hears these words automatically thinks of the 1980 Winter Olympics or the “Miracle on Ice” where the US Men’s Ice Hockey team, a group of college-aged kids, would compete against the best professionals in the world. The US would go on to defeat the Soviet Union, a team who won gold in 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976. To this day, “Miracle on the Ice” is considered one of the greatest upsets not only in hockey but in sports history. For college kids to beat the best professional players in the world was an absolute miracle.
But over 2000 years ago an even greater miracle took place. God Himself came in the form of a man, Jesus Christ. The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
The Bible teaches that God made you to be in a perfect loving relationship with Him. But the problem is, we are all guilty of sin (breaking God’s Law). The Bible says,"There is no one righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10), and that "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). According to the Bible, sin isn't jus the things we do like lying, cheating or stealing, but it's even thinking about doing such things. Jesus said "For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all." (James 2:10).
Now I know what you are thinking: “Not ME!” But let me ask you—how many lies have you told in your life? Have you ever stolen anything? Be honest with yourself. (And that's only 2 of the 10 Commandments.) God’s standard is perfection, and we all fall short.
The problem is that you are guilty of sin and there is a consequence for your sin.The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23). Let me use a hockey analogy to help explain. When you trip a player on the other team there is a consequence (or penalty) for breaking the rules (laws) of the game. The consequence is to serve 2 minutes in the penalty box. Just as there are consequences for breaking the rules of hockey there is also a penalty for breaking God’s commandments (His rules of life). The penalty for disobeying God is a broken relationship with Him and eternal judgment in hell (God’s eternal penalty box). Each one of us has committed a penalty (sin) and deserve to face the consequences of an eternal punishment in hell.
But God loves you so much He doesn’t want that to be the final outcome. “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV). We have a Father in heaven who loves us so much that He sent His Son to take our place in the penalty box. Not the penalty box in the ice rink but on the cross at Calvary.
There is a rule in the NHL rulebook—Rule 407a. If you trip someone or hit someone with your stick you get a penalty. However, there is an exception for the goalie; the goalie never goes to the penalty box. Never. A teammate goes to serve his sentence in the penalty box for him. This is what Jesus did for YOU.The Bible says in Romans 5:8,"But God proveshis own love for usin that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Jesus died for YOU. He served your penalty. He took the punishment that you deserve by dying on the cross for your sins. The Bible says, "For you are saved by gracethrough faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift, not from works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Eternal life is a gift, not something that you can purchase or earn. God offers you His free gift of salvation if you are willing to humbly acknowledge your sinful condition before God (repent) and, in your heart, turn from sin and put your faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
I believe you are reading this devotional for a reason. God wants a relationship with you. He is knocking on the door to your heart. Friend, tomorrow is not guaranteed to you. Will you humbly accept the gift of salvation today? In your best words you know how, tell Jesus that you are sorry for your sin and ask Him to save you. If you willingly turn to Him, Jesus promises that you will be forgiven, all your sin will be wiped away and you will have eternal life. I challenge you that if you haven’t made Jesus your Savior, do it today—“today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NLT).
Have you ever had to serve a penalty for one of your goalies? How did it make you feel?
If you’re a goalie and you had a penalty called against you, what does it feel like having your teammate serve your penalty?
What’s one step you can take this week to grow closer to Jesus?