With live sporting events being put on hold, sports networks are forced to be creative with their programming. While figuring out what to broadcast, they’ve landed on showing tons of historic games and legendary matchups.
Without March Madness taking place over the weekend, CBS re-aired a few of the classic games from the past. I was able to catch some of the Villanova-UNC championship from 2016 and the Texas Tech-Virginia game from last year.
Unfortunately, I missed the replay of the epic Duke-Kentucky matchup from 1992 when Christian Laettner hit “The Shot,” but I still received text messages from guys who were watching.
Yesterday, ESPN televised classic Super Bowls, NBA TV has been showing great game after great game, and MLB Network has been giving fans another chance to watch some of the legendary games in history.
In general, we’d rather be experiencing new games with current teams and players, but there's something enjoyable about looking back and remembering the wonderful games from the past while catching up on games we missed the first time around.
What makes watching these classic games so interesting is the fact that we already know the outcome, who the winner will be, and what is going to happen.
It does take away some of the excitement and anticipation, but if it’s the team we’re rooting for, then it's nice knowing they already won. We don’t have to get worried or anxious about a turnover or a missed shot because we know in the end our team will be cutting down the nets in victory.
I believe this concept provides an important reminder and parallel for us today. The truth is, when Jesus died and rose again He conquered sin and death. When we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, we experience that same victory through Him.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV) says, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Because of this, we are already victorious and know that He sits on His throne preparing a place for us to join Him for eternity. As followers of Jesus, we know the outcome and know the winner in the end!
1 John 5:4-5 (AMP) explains, "For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our faith .
"Who is the one who is victorious and overcomes the world? It is the one who believes and recognizes the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.”
When we're in Christ, we must remember that we're living from victory while facing daily trials and struggles of this world.
John 16:33 (AMP) provides us encouragement: "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous ; I have overcome the world ."
Jesus was victorious on the cross and will reign forever. Today, let's rest in the truth that we've already won!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that You sent Jesus to defeat sin and death and that because of Him I am also victorious. I pray I'd view this temporary life and my current difficulties through the lens of victory. Please help me to live as an overcomer and a victor. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
How does living from a place of victory change your perspective on your current troubles?
How are followers of Jesus able to have peace?
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