Soccer Illustration
In professional soccer games today, it is common practice for players to walk on the field holding the hand of a child. There are several reasons for this:
(a) Primarily to emphasize sportsmanship. The players are supposed to think about how they are role models for these young kids, and hopefully that will be reflected in their actions and attitudes on the field
(b) To show the world that soccer is a universal sport and can be enjoyed by people of all ages
(c) Sometimes players take their own children, sometimes the children represent different organizations, orphanages, hospitals and schools
(d) Another reason is for charity. Children who have terminal diseases like Cancer get to walk out with the team for free. Manchester United actually falls into this category
(e) Parents want to give their child an (expensive) experience of a lifetime, which may include additional “treats” such as shaking the Captain’s hand, lunch and receiving the team’s uniform
Prior to the Newcastle United versus Manchester City game on January 12, 2014, Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul slowly walked onto St. James’s Park with a young man (around 7-8 years old) who made his way to the players’ lineup with a metal walking frame. There he stood, in front of thousands of spectators and millions of supporters worldwide, awestruck amongst such high profile superstars. And what a contrast he presented. Frail. Walking slowly and carefully, standing shakily with his heroes who were all strong, athletic, muscular, chiseled.
Biblical Illustration
And yet while we may be tempted to say that life has been unfair to the young man and incredibly good to the players, one thing is for sure. This life is not all there is! The body is merely a temporary “tent” in which we reside for a few short years during our time on earth. As Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:1, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” Thus, while our bodies make us “groan”, the Christian is assured of a new resurrected body that will be perfect and equipped for everlasting life. It will be imperishable, raised in glory, raised in power, spiritual, and be like that of Jesus Christ. Wow! The best is yet to come! No more pain or sorrow from our aching, worn out limbs. No more crippling diseases or nagging injuries. A new and improved body – a gift received and enjoyed by all who have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ!
Personal question and application
Do you get wearied from all the ailments of sport and of life in general? If so, remember that this world is not our home. We are simply passing through. The Christian has an incredible perspective on his future body. It will be new. It will be perfect. It will be awesome!
Scripture
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21)
Further reading
- 2 Peter 1:13-14…”Tent of a body…”
- 1 Corinthians 15:35-58…The resurrection body
