Last night’s Super Bowl delivered us a tight matchup that was decided in the final moments as the Los Angeles Rams hung onto a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. This game gave us countless storylines leading up to it...lots to analyze during it...and plenty to discuss now that it’s over. A few of the main talking points have centered around the words deserved and undeserved. We will hear some of these comments today:
The Rams deserved to win the Super Bowl since they went all-in on their roster and did whatever it took to have the most talented players they could get.
The Rams didn’t deserve to win last night’s game since they lost the turnover battle and couldn’t successfully run the ball.
Matthew Stafford deserved to win a Super Bowl after losing so much in Detroit for 12 seasons.
Aaron Donald deserved to win a Super Bowl after being one of the most dominant defensive players in the league throughout his career with the Rams.
Both teams deserved to win last night since it was such a hard-fought game.
Joe Burrow didn't deserve to win this early in his career. Then there's the big debate about who deserved to win the Super Bowl MVP. Wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, received the award thanks to his eight catches and two touchdowns, and crucial plays throughout the game-winning drive. However, you can make a case that Stafford deserved to win the award with his clutch performance and leadership. It's hard to believe he's the only QB with three TD passes for the winning team not to be named the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. Plenty of people will also argue that Aaron Donald deserved to win MVP for his two sacks, the 4th-down play that ended the game, and his overall impact on the defensive side of the ball. Any of them could have won it, but ultimately Kupp did and when he was on the podium accepting the MVP trophy, he said, “I don’t feel deserving of this. God is just so good.” Later in an interview, he reiterated, "I just feel so undeserving of all these awards and accolades." I’m a huge fan of Cooper Kupp. I love the way he plays, as well as his demeanor, approach, and attitude. He didn’t reject the award but received it with humility. Based on his posture after the game and the other topics being discussed, I want to unpack our own relationship with the words deserve and undeserve. I believe there are many times we act entitled and display an attitude that we deserve credit, accolades, awards, promotions, and blessings. We tell ourselves that we did this and that and deserve to be recognized or compensated. It may be true, but when we’re so driven to be rewarded for what we think we deserve, we can become prideful and selfish. With that type of attitude, we might even tell God that we deserve His love and answered prayers because we did this or that for Him. We might also think we're such a good person, so of course, God would love us and save us. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) explains, "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.” On the flip side, many people walk around with shame because of their past mistakes or with low-self esteem, negativity, and the mindset that they're undeserving of anything good. They feel like they’ve blown it and don’t deserve to experience any kind of blessings, especially God’s love, and grace. Thankfully, the Bible tells us in Romans 5:8 (NIV), ”But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Ultimately, we must recognize that because of our sinfulness, disobedience, and pride, we do deserve God’s wrath. However, the truth is, God loves us so much that He was willing to send Jesus to pay our sin debt and continues to pour His undeserved grace and mercy on us. Romans 3:23-24 (AMP) declares, "Since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified as a gift by His grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:23 (AMP) says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We are undeserving to receive it, but we need to let go of the shame and willingly accept the wonderful gift of salvation and the love God wants to give us. In humility, we can keep an undeserving posture, but in no way should we reject what God is offering to us. As God continues to give us good gifts and allows us to experience Him and His blessings, we can echo what Cooper Kupp said, “I don’t feel deserving of this. God is just so good”...along with Pslam 107:1 (ESV): "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" I'm Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm an undeserving sinner who is humbled by Your love and grace toward me. Thank you for allowing Your mercy to flow to me. Help me to remain humble and aware of Your remarkable kindness. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What areas of your life do you find yourself being entitled and deserving of something?
In what ways has your undeserving mentality prevented you from embracing God's love and grace?
In what ways do you need to change your perspective on being undeserving of His love and grace, so you can enjoy His blessings and live with the proper humility?
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