Television sets across the United States are tuned into the big game . I don’t have a horse in the race today – the Saints didn’t even make it to the playoffs this year – but I will still enjoy the 49ers vs Ravens contest. At least the game is being played in my favorite NFL stadium (the Super Dome, of course!). Could the game tonight be a reminder that our greatest achievements come as the result of teamwork and mutual effort?
Big athletic events aren’t new. The Greek and Roman world regularly held huge athletic events. I guess it’s not surprising that athletic metaphors abound in the New Testament. Here are eight of them:
- Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NLT
- I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Galatians 2:2 NIV
- You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? Galatians 5:7 NLT
- Hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:16 NIV
- Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 MSG
- No one wins an athletic contest without obeying the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 CEV
- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT
- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
