Rocky

We wrap up our summer sports movie series (Little Giants, Boys in the Boat, and Rudy) with an absolute classic, Rocky. Maybe in future years we will unpack the other movies in this franchise, but today it's all about the original film, released in 1976.

It was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won three, including the award for Best Picture. Rocky is still considered one of the most iconic sports movies of all time, having had a profound influence on pop culture.

Sylvester Stallone conceived the idea and wrote the screenplay in three days, and he demanded the lead role, which he ultimately played, kickstarting his legendary career.

Stallone stars as Rocky Balboa, a struggling local club fighter in Philadelphia whose boxing career was stagnant. However, his fortune changed thanks to the World Heavyweight Champion, Apollo Creed.

Creed had a title bout scheduled in Philadelphia during the US Bicentennial, but five weeks before the fight, his opponent backed out due to an injury. The promoter tried to find a legitimate opponent as a replacement, but was unable to do so.

That's when Creed decided to take a different direction and invite a local boxer, allowing him to compete in the ring. He chose Rocky, who was known as the Italian Stallion, to join him for the World Heavyweight Championship.

At first, Rocky was reluctant to accept the invitation, but he ultimately agreed to the offer. Even the night before the big fight, he wrestled with feelings of doubt that he belonged and questioned if he was worthy enough to take on Creed.

What makes the match so fascinating is how unqualified, undeserving, and unlikely it was for Rocky to be involved in it. He didn't earn the chance to share the ring with Apollo Creed, yet Creed selected Rocky and wanted him to be a part of it.

Rocky embraced the opportunity and didn't take it for granted. The movie focuses on Rocky's unique training and rigorous preparation for the big fight.

He didn't have the attitude of, "Oh, cool, I get to be in the ring with Creed," and then not prepare properly. Instead, he did what he could to be ready and desired to go the distance and remain standing after fifteen rounds.

In the end, the fight turned out to be memorable as Rocky proved and confirmed he belonged in the ring, fighting hard for fifteen rounds. Creed was the official winner after a split decision, but the whole experience resulted in Rocky walking away a winner as well.

Similar to the other sports movies we've discussed this summer, Rocky features numerous inspirational elements and themes that resonate with our own lives.

When I think about the opportunity Apollo gave Rocky despite his lack of earning it, I’m reminded of the opportunity given to us by God to know Him and have our sins forgiven.

We have done nothing to earn salvation, and we are unqualified, undeserving, and unlikely based on our resume. Yet, we've been chosen and invited into "the ring," or rather, God's presence and His family.

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) tells us, "God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure."

Romans 5:8 (ESV) explains, "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Thanks to Jesus, who came to earth, where He died and rose again, and paid the price for our sins, we are invited by grace through faith into eternal life with the Almighty God.

When we consider how unworthy we truly are, we may be reluctant to accept this invitation, and there may be times when we doubt we belong in God's presence. However, we must remember that God loves us and wants us to be "in the ring" or a part of His eternal family, even though we do nothing to deserve it.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) reminds us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

When we accept the free gift of salvation through Christ, we should not take it for granted. Instead, every day we train and prepare for everything He has in store for us now and for eternity.

1 Peter 1:13 (NLT) encourages us, "So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world."

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) challenges us to "...train yourself to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."

Creed chose Rocky to be in the ring, but once he was there, he proved to be a legitimate fighter and that he belonged in the ring by fighting hard for fifteen rounds.

As followers of Jesus, we don't have to prove ourselves to be saved or loved by God because His grace isn’t given based on our works, but rather our faith in Christ. Now that we are "in the ring," though, we want to respond to what God has done for us and demonstrate that we belong to Christ, fighting hard until the end.

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) tells us, "Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the Word of truth."

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV) says, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again."

Today, let us be mindful of the unearned love of God and the opportunity and invitation He gives to unworthy, undeserving, and unlikely sinners to experience His grace and eternal life.

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are so kind and gracious. I'm humbled and grateful that you allow me into your family, even though I don't deserve it. Please help me live in response to your free gift of salvation by obeying and serving You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.