For all of the distractions surrounding Michigan's program this season, the Wolverines have been impressively winning football games.
Although head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for six games due to two separate NCAA investigations, Michigan enters their rivalry showdown with Ohio State this weekend having an undefeated record (11-0) and ranking No. 3 in the nation.
The Michigan program as a whole rightly deserves a level of criticism for its committed infractions, yet the players have commendably remained focused on the task at hand.
In some ways, Harbaugh’s suspensions have unified the players and increased their resolve to perform at a high level for their beloved coach.
During his press conference on Monday, Michigan running back Blake Corum said, “Coach Harbaugh means so much to this program, but especially to myself and to the guys. He’s formed a culture here. He’s a players’ coach, great guy. We love playing for him. A lot of us would run through a wall for him, so it's definitely been tough, and going into the game without him, this is kind of just like adding fuel to the fire.”
Harbaugh undoubtedly has his flaws, but there's no denying his players are fiercely committed to him. Regardless of what outsiders may think, his players know him personally and love playing for him because of the way he's treated them.
When you and I talk or think about Jesus do we have a similar willingness to "run through a wall for Him"? Are we fiercely committed to Him regardless of what outsiders may think because we know Him personally and love living for Him?
As followers of Jesus, our “coach” is completely without flaws and imperfections (unlike Harbaugh) and He has demonstrated His commitment to us with the greatest act of love in history.
Romans 5:8 (ESV) tells us, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
While we were still living in hostility as enemies of God, He paid the ultimate price by sending His Son to be our sacrifice and bear the wrath that we deserved.
And for those of us who have been born again by faith in Jesus, God continues to demonstrate His love for us daily by giving us His Spirit, sanctifying us, providing for us, and equipping us for good works that bring Him glory.
Having a deep recognition of the love we've been shown by Christ leads to a desire to willingly “run through a wall” for Him.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV), the Apostle Paul says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”
When Paul says, “Christ’s love compels us,” he's not speaking about the love he has for Christ, but about the love that Christ has for him. It was Jesus’ love for Paul that compelled him to “run through a wall,” so to speak, for His Savior.
There's no denying we'll encounter difficult situations when following Jesus, and that passionate loyalty to Him is required if we desire to walk in obedience to what He's commanded.
But we must understand we won’t be able to “run through the wall” by attempting to generate passion and faithfulness within ourselves. Rather, the passion we need to walk obediently in difficult circumstances will be generated as we meditate on the love and commitment shown by our gracious God.
When it's difficult to love our enemies, we can call to mind how Christ loved us when we were His enemies. When on the brink of temptation, we can remind ourselves that Jesus was perfectly obedient when faced with temptations, and lovingly promises to help us if we turn to Him in our time of need (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Today, let’s allow Christ's love to compel us to “run through a wall” for Him, giving our all for Him because He gave His all for us.
I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible love You show me even though I'm undeserving. Please help me better understand the depths of the love You have for me so I may walk in unwavering commitment to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What is a passage of Scripture that helps you better understand the love that God has for you? 2. Why do you think we can be so quick to lose sight of the fact that God has shown such great love to us?
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