The Kansas City Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl champions and are 9-0 through Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season. They have repeatedly proven to be well-coached, highly talented, and clutch.
They haven't been blowing teams out this season but are finding ways to win tight games instead. They blocked a field goal this past Sunday and beat the Broncos 16-14.
Fans and media respect the Chiefs, as we know how good a team they are. When a team has sustained success like Kansas City has had in recent years, it's easy to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it also appears they receive favorable calls from the refs.
Of course, fans of other teams are highly critical and observant when it comes to questionable calls that seem always to go Kansas City's way. Considering how close their matchups are, every play and call made by the refs carries more weight.
Because of the spotlight, fans accuse refs of letting the Chiefs get away with certain things on the field, such as holding calls. Criticized for making calls that benefit the Chiefs, there are concerns that the refs overlook their penalties when it could cost them.
After the microphone caught quarterback Patrick Mahomes saying to the refs, "Can you let me know if he's close? Tell me, tell me," there were mixed reactions to what this was about. It nonetheless added fuel to the fire whether it was an issue or not.
It's hard to know for sure whether the Chiefs receive special treatment or advantages, but we definitely wonder. Some may even justify that they've earned the privileges, while others will continue complaining that the "Chiefs get all the calls" and shouldn't.
The Chiefs aren't the first team, and Patrick Mahomes isn't the first quarterback questioned about the refs showing them favoritism, as we see evidence of this throughout sports based on position or status, especially for superstars. The reality is this kind of treatment doesn't stop on the field.
In life, we can see how society favors the wealthy, powerful, and successful, and it's evident that certain people get special treatment, advantages, and more attention and often get away with doing bad things.
We often accept this and even participate in it in sports and life. But, according to God's Word, He doesn't want us to show favoritism or partiality.
James 2:1-9 (NLT) explains, "My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.
"If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, 'You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor'—well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
"Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?
"Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law."
The Amplified Bible translation of verse 1 says, "My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people—show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]."
These verses are convicting when we consider how easily we fall into favoring particular people, treating them differently based on superficial reasons, and giving them "all the calls on the field" to be elevated above others.
Today, we can ask God to reveal how the sin of partiality plays out in our lives, forgive us for it, and help us love everyone regardless of position, status, wealth, power, and accomplishments.
After all, God is our example, as it says in Romans 2:11 (AMP): "For God shows no partiality [no arbitrary favoritism; with Him, one person is not more important than another]."
Thankfully, God's love and grace are available to everyone, as I wrote about last month HERE!
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for not loving certain people and showing more favoritism toward others based on superficial reasons. I pray I'd treat everyone with love, compassion, and kindness as I demonstrate the love and grace You've shown me. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.