Repeating, Returning, and Rematches

Here we go again! The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to their third straight Super Bowl to take on the Philadelphia Eagles for the second time in three years on the big stage.

Impressive history is in the making as the Chiefs continue to find themselves in a similar situation, and the Eagles return after a disappointing playoff exit last season.

· The Chiefs are the first team in NFL history to reach five Super Bowls in six seasons.

· The Chiefs are one of nine teams to repeat as Super Bowl Champions and are attempting to be the first to three-peat.

· The Chiefs and Eagles will have a rematch, joining nine other Super Bowl matchups where teams faced the same franchise at least twice.

· Patrick Mahomes is the third QB to start in five Super Bowls, and Jalen Hurts is only the 22nd QB to start in two.

Yesterday, in the AFC Championship game, the Chiefs knocked the Bills out of the playoffs again, moving Patrick Mahomes to 4-0 against the Bills in the postseason. Once again, the Chiefs repeated what they always do: find ways to win, get the breaks (thanks, refs), and get the necessary stops.

Meanwhile, the Eagles repeated what was working as they ran the ball all over the Commanders, scoring seven rushing touchdowns, the most in a Championship game ever.

As exciting as it is for the Eagles and Chiefs fans to watch their favorite team return to the Super Bowl, Buffalo Bills fans are beside themselves that their team once again fell short. The Bills repeated their pattern of playing the Chiefs in a tight game with chances to win, and unfortunately for them, the result was the same as they lost in another rematch.

While reflecting on Championship Sunday and anticipating Super Bowl LIX, the words that sum it up are repeat, return, and rematch.

Depending on the perspective, some fans are cheering for the Chiefs to repeat as they embrace the greatness of the Chiefs. Other fans are excited about the return of the Eagles and seeing them get back on track after last season's debacle, while other fans dread the rematch between these two teams.

When it comes to our own lives, what are we repeating? Are we continuing to repeat the things that lead to winning? Or are we repeating wrong behaviors and sinful patterns, leading to the same negative results?

Do we find ourselves in similar situations, saying, "Here we go again," in a good or bad way? Do we embrace God's greatness and repeatedly "cheer" for Him? Are we repeating the Gospel and God's commandments to ourselves and others?

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NLT) says, "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed, and when you are getting up."

Some of us may have drifted from a passionate faith and love for Jesus and need to return to Him. For others, we find ourselves tempted to return to former ways of disobedience or keep losing the same way.

The Bible says in Proverbs 26:11 (NIV), "As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly."

1 Peter 1:14 (NLT) encourages us: "So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then."

Lastly, in what ways are we facing a rematch with a similar opponent, such as fear, worry, or pride? Of course, we dread the rematches, but will we repeat what caused us to lose previously, or will we do what we need for victory?

Today, as followers of Jesus, let's choose to repeat the things that lead to producing good fruit as we continue to walk in victory because of Christ, yielding to the Holy Spirit for power and strength. Let's repeatedly surrender, trust, and obey as we return to God's Word and His ways over and over.

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the sins I repeat, and thank you for Your grace. Please strengthen me to obey, surrender, and trust in You. I desire to repeat the good things that lead to victories and produce spiritual fruit. Please help me return to a passionate, loving, and vibrant relationship with You. Please give me the power to overcome the rematches I face against familiar foes. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.