As sports fans, there’s nothing like a great rivalry game. Tonight, another exciting matchup takes place between Duke and Carolina with the #1 ranked Blue Devils at home playing against the strong #8 Tar Heels.

UNC has a nice combination of seniors and freshmen this year, but they’re not getting as much national attention. Senior Cameron Johnson is averaging 16.3 points per game and senior Luke Maye is grabbing 9.6 rebounds a night. Meanwhile, Coby White and Nassir Little are making an impact in their first season in college basketball.

Duke, on the other hand, came into the season with tons of hype and anticipation because of their freshman class. RJ Barrett, Tre Jones, and Cam Reddish have proven to be top talents and key reasons why Duke has only lost two games this year.

As good as those guys have played, their teammate, freshman Zion Williamson, has been a must-watch player night after night. His highlight dunks and passionate play, along with his size and strength, make sports fans wonder if there’s ever been another college player like him.

Zion has not only caught the attention of average basketball fans, but celebrities like Jay-Z and other athletes such as LeBron James and Floyd Mayweather have come to watch him play in person.

Tonight will be the same thing, but in order to purchase available tickets in Cameron Indoor Stadium, people are paying over $3,300 – and that’s on the low end. There are even reports that former President Barack Obama may be in attendance for this game.

Most of us will be enjoying the game from the comfort of our couches, but those in the arena will be there to experience the Duke-UNC rivalry up close and personal.

There’s no question that this year’s Duke team is causing even more hype as people are flocking to see Zion in person. Fans want to witness for themselves how big and amazing he is instead of only watching him on TV or hearing about him from others.

In our own lives, a comparison can be made between hearing about God and watching others experience Him versus knowing Him personally and encountering Him ourselves.

Thankfully, we don’t have to be a celebrity or need to drop $3,300 to be up close and personal with the God of the universe. He left a free ticket for us when He sent Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf.

We now have the opportunity for an intimate relationship with Him. Witnessing His work in our lives “in person,” we have a front-row seat to His power and goodness.

Jesus prayed this before He went to the cross in John 17:3 (AMP): “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus[as the] Christ whom You have sent.”

Paul also writes in Philippians 3:10-11 (NLT): “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”

Today, let’s have the passion to know God for ourselves and to have a deep personal faith in Jesus. Instead of just hearing others talk about their experience with the Lord, let’s also enjoy Him and “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8; NIV).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to know You and experience Your goodness in a very real and powerful way. I pray I wouldn’t hold back from pursuing You with all of my heart. I want to see You for who You really are. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.