Although Sunday in the NFL entertained us with some big touchdowns, exciting finishes, and an overtime game, the most captivating topics today surround our President, the National Anthem, and protesting players.
From the President of the United States tweeting and name-calling…to the entire Steelers’ team remaining in the locker room during the National Anthem (except for one former Army Ranger)…to multiple teams linking arms…to fans booing their own teams, this is a wild time for the NFL!
Colin Kaepernick started a movement last year to protest police brutality, but his original message seems to have gotten overshadowed by the many twists and turns along the way.
Even though the National Anthem kneeling situation has escalated, Kaepernick’s initial message is no longer the focal point. Fans, media, and players are being forced to take sides while we wonder what’s actually at the core of these protests.
Afterall, do we really know why each player is choosing to kneel or not? Do we know the goal behind arms being linked or why fists are being raised? What is the main message teams are sending by staying in the locker room? What is the point of all this…and is the truth clear?
As we unpack the confusion of the actions in the NFL, I’m reminded how our focus on the most important message of all can also get lost.
The Good News or the Gospel is that God loves us so much He sent His son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Despite all of us being sinners, Jesus died and rose again and now offers grace when we place our faith in Him.
This truth is amazing in every way, but unfortunately the message has been watered down, and the focus gets placed on the wrong things. It’s sad that instead of people hearing all about Jesus, the true message is getting twisted by the noise of everything else.
Paul reminds us in his letter to the churches in Galatia how we need to stay centered on the core truth…and not get distracted by the detractors trying to alter the message.
He says in Galatians 1:1;3-7 (NLT), “This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ Himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead…
“May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave His life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News, but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.”
Today, let’s be encouraged to cling to the truth of the Gospel and not get caught up in what it’s not. Lives change when we stand…sit…or kneel for the powerful message of Jesus.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I’d be filled with grace and love when I see protests taking place. But I also pray for strength to stand for the truth of the Gospel and point people to Jesus. I know that’s what people need and the focus must remain on Him. Thank you for your Good News! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
