Michael Jordan has been the standard for basketball excellence ever since his “Airness” was winning championships with the Bulls. Players who grew up watching him wanted to “be like Mike” and emulated their games after his.
Most still consider Jordan the greatest of all time, but LeBron James is at least in the debate. As LeBron continues to play, he will move up the lists for all-time NBA records and has already passed Jordan in total career points, rebounds, blocks, and assists.
LeBron shared the following after he jumped him on the all-time scoring list:
“Me and my best friends this is all we talked about was MJ. All we talked about was MJ. Outdoor courts, we used to play outdoor ball and you know in the snow in the rain in northeast Ohio and we all wanted to be MJ. We all wanted to be MJ, every last one of us.
“It’s crazy. My high school best friends, they text me and they just can’t believe it, I can’t believe it, because we just remember walking up and down the Akron streets with a basketball, singing, ‘I wanna be, I wanna be like Mike.'”
LeBron will never be Michael Jordan, but he’s been able to incorporate what he’s learned from him into his own game. He will never be six for six in NBA Finals appearances or the first to do certain feats that Jordan did, but LeBron’s been able to do some extraordinary things such as winning an NBA Championship for two different franchises.
Having the benefit of playing in the footsteps of Jordan and continuing on the path that was paved for him, LeBron plays with Jordan’s inspiration. In wanting to be like Jordan, he’s been able to have a career that reflects the impact Jordan’s had on him.
They may not have the same style of play, but in many ways, because of Jordan, LeBron has been able to take his game to the level he has.
Jordan changed the NBA on and off the court and put the league in a position that set up LeBron to achieve his many outstanding accomplishments.
Although not a perfect illustration, there are similarities that can help us understand how to live our lives in light of what Jesus did during His ministry while on earth.
Jesus was fully man and fully God and we'll never live the perfect life He did. We probably won’t walk on water or turn water to wine, and we can’t personally save souls or bring people back to life.
However, in John 14:12-14 (AMP), Jesus shares this message to anyone who believes in Him:
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.
“And I will do whatever you ask in My name , this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name , I will do it.”
This is a profound and somewhat confusing statement, but because Jesus died on the cross, rose again, and invites us to be united with Him and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can do greater things.
He paved the way for us to know Him, be like Him, and be equipped by His Spirit to walk in His footsteps. He's our example and He's put us in a position to continue His ministry. We do greater works by the power of the risen Christ in us.
Because of His impact, we’re able to live in a way that furthers God’s kingdom, points others to Him, brings God glory, and reflects the work He’s done in our hearts.
We might not “go six for six in NBA Finals,” but we can work for the Lord and even accomplish greater things because of the One inspiring and empowering us to do so.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to join You in Your redemptive work on earth. I pray my life would be a reflection of Jesus and that by Your Spirit’s power within me I can bring You glory. I want to live according to Your will. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
*For more clarity on this topic, check out pastor John Piper’s sermon which I used for inspiration in today’s devotional: CLICK HERE
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is your response to what Jesus said about believers doing greater things?
What holds you back from embracing the opportunity to do greater things?
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