The NBA’s wild offseason is officially underway after the news that the Lakers are acquiring superstar Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in a major trade.
After months of rumors, changes in management for both teams, a trade demand, and a disappointing Lakers season, Davis is heading to LA.
The Lakers were made aware that Davis wanted to play with LeBron James and join the franchise, but would require Los Angeles to give up a lot to go get him.
Ultimately, the Lakers were willing to sacrifice their young players, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, plus send three first-round draft picks to the Pelicans.
Most NBA experts acknowledge how valuable Anthony Davis is, but at the same time, they recognize the price the Lakers paid and that what they gave up for him is very significant.
This move demonstrates just how much the Lakers love Anthony Davis and that they really want him in the purple and gold uniform. They were willing to do whatever it took to bridge the gap between the two teams during the trade talks.
Davis wasn’t a free agent, so he couldn’t just go to LA freely. Someone (multiple players and picks) had to be given up in order to take his place in New Orleans.
It may not be a flawless comparison, but this league-altering move can be a vivid reminder of the trade that took place on our behalf. God is a perfect and holy God, and in order for each of us to be given the opportunity to join His “franchise,” it required a major sacrifice.
Thankfully, God considers us valuable and was willing to give up and send His only Son to be that ultimate sacrifice. He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to bridge the gap between our sinful nature and His holiness.
Just like the Lakers emptied their roster for the sake of acquiring Anthony Davis, Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV) says, "Jesus...emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Jesus gave up His heavenly position to come to earth and take our place on the cross, where He traded His life for ours. Romans 5:8 (ESV) tells us, “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Today as we think about the Lakers and Anthony Davis being united because of the sacrifice they made, based on their love for him as a player, let’s be encouraged to know that God loves us so much that He made a way for us to be united to Him.
He went after us and now we are going to join Him in a place even better than the bright lights of Hollywood!
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT) declares, "But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)."
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to send Jesus to be the sacrifice on my behalf. Thank you for saving me from the path I was on and for allowing me to be united to You through Jesus. I thank You for Your grace and Your mercy. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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