Jesus Designed the Winning Play

What Did Jesus Do?

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4

It is NFL playoff time, and that means this Sunday there will be more people attending the games, listening to them on radio, and watching on television (live or streaming) than there will be in worship. Actually, for most NFL fans I guess the games are worship. Except, perhaps when they are busier hating someone than cheering for someone. When New England hosts Denver in a Divisional match-up, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will have a much simpler game-plan than his opponent. All Brady has to do is beat the Broncos. Denver quarterback Tim Tebow has to overcome the world, because the world, and lots and lots of people, are bitterly opposed to him. Fortunately for Tebow, and for all God’s children, Jesus designed the winning play.

Actually, while some NFL snob-types like to tear down Tebow because he is far from the classic drop-back quarterback, many more boil with murderous rage against him because of his faith. Well, while I regularly root for just about anybody who faces the Patriots, and have a long-standing affection for the Giants, I have a confession to make—I don’t really care all that much about the NFL. Or the NBA, or MLB, or the NHL, or college football, or even college hoops (Last year I even went cold turkey and did not watch a second of March Madness, only learning that UConn won a couple of days after the fact on the internet). So it won’t really matter much to me who wins this weekend. But I do care about Tim Tebow, love him even. That’s why, even before the game’s played, I know that Tebow will come out on top. In fact, I guarantee that Tebow will be a winner this weekend. How can I make such a guarantee? Like I said, Jesus designed the winning play, and Tim Tebow has already shown that he knows how to execute it perfectly.

What’s the play? It’s no secret, at least in Tebow’s case, though there are way too many Christians who like to keep it under wraps. No, Bill Belichick won’t have to deploy any spies or try and intercept any signals from the sidelines this time. Tebow has a simple game-plan that he follows, and when he comes at you, well, he’s pretty much a straight ahead runner. Not a lot of deception, faking, or feinting for Tebow, he’s just aimed toward the goal line. So, here’s the play that ensures victory for Tim Tebow, and for every believer—faith. Jesus designed, he pioneered and perfected, faith (Hebrews 12:2). Yes, I admit, faith might not overcome the Pats, but I know, as Tim Tebow does, that faith has overcome our biggest opponents—the world and its ruler. Faith has even defeated sin and death!

So, while there may be some closely fought games this weekend, the outcome for Tim Tebow is already settled because he believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:5). And he has let the whole world know it, which isn’t an easy thing to do when you are in his position because it means that every time Tim Tebow takes the field he faces more opposition than any other quarterback in the league.

I don’t know who or what you might be facing this week. You might have been tackled by a job loss. Maybe the clock is running out and foreclosure looms. You may feel defeated because of a divorce. It’s very possible that you, or someone you love, has heard a doctor say, in effect, “game over.” But all these can and have been overcome by Jesus, and we are victorious through faith in him.

None of us, not even Tim Tebow, may ever hold the Lombardi Trophy, or be enshrined in a Hall of Fame. But every one of us can wear a crown, and have a room in the Father’s house. Just run the play that Jesus designed, and we’ll all be eternal winners.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4