Ready:
“The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked.” - 1 John 2:6
Set:
We saw yesterday that there comes a point when watching highlight reels and trying to duplicate a move just doesn’t cut it. A real coach and real practice are needed to institute lasting growth. If we are going to truly grow and remain in Jesus Christ, as He commanded, then we need the same thing. A real coach and real practice. Jesus is our Coach. We just have to walk as He walked.
How did He walk?
He walked in love just as God the Father did. “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love” (John 15:9). Time and again in the Gospels Jesus demonstrates love. He calls a tax collector everyone else disliked to be part of His disciples (Matthew 9:9-12). He heals lepers who were outcast from society (Luke 17:11-19). He wept when a friend passed away (Luke 11: 28-37) and washed the dirty feet of His disciples (Luke 13:1-8). Ultimately, He died on the cross because He loves us. “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
In the competitive world, love is often seen as a weakness. Can you really love your opponent when you just want to defeat them? Can you love your teammate when you want their spot on the roster? The answer is yes; you can. To love your opponent means playing by the rules. It looks like excellence in performance and sportsmanship. It looks like encouraging and rallying your team no matter your role.
Following the ways of Jesus means we are following a perfect coach. We can rest in the assurance that being coached by Jesus will result in fruit in our lives. “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me” (John 15:5). When I coach my youth basketball team, I never have a perfect game plan. There are too many factors out of my control. But Jesus always has the perfect game plan. And it is through His power. He tells us plainly in John 15 that we cannot do any of this on our own power. Fruit and life transformation only happen with Him.
Go:
Do you think love is a weakness in competitive sports? Explain.
Jesus was radical in who and how He loved. Who is someone in your life you could show love to? How will you show them love?
Jesus does the transformational work. How is that truth freeing in a “prove it” culture?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord, we want to walk as You walked. Grow our hearts to love more. Open our eyes and ears to see and hear the needs of our teammates and rivals. We know You have the perfect game plan – help us to trust it and You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”