The NFL’s Wildcard Weekend did not disappoint with every game at least somewhat competitive. The game I want to focus on today began as the least likely to be a tight game with the Los Angeles Chargers jumping out to a 27-0 first-half lead over the home team Jacksonville. The Jaguars played badly at the start of the game and couldn’t get any of the bounces to go their way with quarterback, Trevor Lawerence, throwing four interceptions. The Jaguars winning this game appeared improbable with that type of deficit in front of them. However, they shocked everyone and put together the third-largest comeback in playoff history with a 31-30 victory. So how does a team put together a remarkable comeback like that when losing 27-0? The first step is embracing the daunting reality that they can’t score 27 points all at once. Any comeback wouldn't just happen instantly, but rather it would take place a little bit at a time if they chipped away at the lead. If they wanted to get back into the game, they had to stick to the principle of taking it one play at a time, one score at a time, and keep the faith with perseverance until the very end. The Jaguars eventually started making progress as Lawerence began completing passes and leading his team down the field. He wasn’t perfect on every down, but things started clicking as he threw a touchdown pass on four consecutive drives. Late in the fourth quarter, he followed a touchdown pass by running in a two-point conversion that put the score at 30-28 with 5:25 to play. The Jaguars' defense forced the Chargers to a three-and-out which set up Lawerence and the offense to put together the game-winning drive that ended with a 36-yard field goal from Riley Patterson. This unbelievable comeback win for the Jaguars required one completed pass at a time, one defensive stop at a time, and one score at a time which resulted in them being victorious 31-30. As we consider the patience needed for this impressive comeback and the understanding that they wouldn't score 27 points right away, I want to unpack how this parallels our own lives. Many of us began the new year with goals in mind and changes we'd like to make. Some of us are facing a financial deficit as we're attempting a comeback out of debt. For others, our weight is “up by 27 points” and we’re trying to chip away at the “lead” one pound at a time. A number of us want to give more of our money away or serve others more, but need to start by “completing one pass” first. Hopefully, all of us also desire to seek God and spiritually grow, but we know we have a long ways to go. We want to mature in our faith, understand scripture, and develop our character to be more like Jesus, and yet we want it to happen overnight. But in reality, following Jesus is a journey that requires one step at a time. He chips away and refines us a little bit at a time as we trust Him. We gain wisdom and understanding as we read God’s Word one verse at a time, one chapter at a time, and one book at a time. The growing process and the patience required are also evident in agriculture, which is why Jesus spoke about it in His parables. In the one about four different soils (Luke, chapter 8), He talked about a sower sowing his seed and the reasons why some didn’t grow, but how “some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold…” (verse 8; ESV). Jesus explained that in this parable, “the seed is the Word of God” (verse 11; ESV). He then further explained in verse 15 (AMP), “But as for that seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the Word with a good and noble heart, and hold on to it tightly, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15 in the New Living Translation says, ”And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s Word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” The encouragement for us today is to continue placing value on God’s Word by deeply rooting it in our hearts and holding it tightly. When we do, we will patiently experience the fruit and results of persevering in faith. In the ESV Study Bible, notes for Luke 8:15 say, “The fourth group hears with an honest and good heart. They hold it fast and bear much fruit. With patience can also be translated 'with perseverance,' showing that fruit-bearing in God’s kingdom often requires much work before significant results are seen.” Trevor Lawerence is a good quarterback and despite his previous four interceptions, he stayed the course, persevered, and remained patient one drive at a time. Eventually, the touchdowns came, and in the end, the Jaguars were victorious. Today, let’s take the same approach to spiritual maturity and hearing God’s Word. Let's be mindful that the fruit will come...and in the end, we are victorious in Christ - thanks to His comeback! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me Your Word. It changes me and my character and my thoughts and perspectives. I pray I would cling to You and Your Word with patience knowing that fruit and a harvest will come in time as I persevere. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. How has your faith and character grown over time and what kind of fruit have you experienced? 2. In what ways are you remaining patient as you trust God and His Word to change you?
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