Worship Jesus

March 10, 2024
 
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius
I like sports.  I never was very athletic, but that never stopped me from cheering for my team.  Need to tell you, sometimes the cheer for “my team” isn’t so much for who I want to win, but it’s for who I want to lose. 😊

But there’s a couple of things about athletics that are, in my estimation, tainting the sport, all sports.

The obvious first thing is money.  The average professional baseball player makes $4.2 million a year.  Get this.  If he hits the ball 33% of the time, he’s considered to be worth it.  Here’s an interesting, staggering salary.  Joe Burrow, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, recently signed a five year contract worth $275 million, or $55 million per year.  Even some college athletes are now making in excess of $1 million a year under NIL.  Just you wait.  Soon, there will be no free athletic events to watch on T.V.  It will all be pay-per-view.

Here’s the second thing I’ve noticed about athletics.  Fans are crazy.  Caitlin Clark, a star University of Iowa basketball player, is a phenomenal athlete.  After her team lost a game to Ohio State, she was bowled over by a celebrating female Buckeye linebacker!  On the same day, the Bills fans threw snowballs at Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.  He won the game.  Instead of congratulating him, they peppered him with ice-laden snowballs!  Come on people!  It’s just a game!

Star athletes are cheered or booed, depending on the day’s performance.  I’ve been in football stadiums and basketball arenas and have done the same thing.  (I don’t boo, but I do cheer!)  Oh, the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.

The excitement of an athletic event.  But I wonder, how much the crowd would cheer if the Lord Himself ran onto the field?  I can hear the announcer.  “Running onto the field is He Who can save your life!  Jesus Christ!”  Would there be frenzied excitement, or awe-struck silence?  Would the people welcome Him, or say “Who is this guy?”  Sadly, I have a terrible feeling that He would be treated no differently than He was 2000 years ago.

Beware, for this time when He returns, there is no middle ground—you’re either for Him or against Him.
​
Get on His team TODAY!
Pastor Allan
 
©2024 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved