Jon Rahm began the Masters on Thursday by four-putting on the first hole and ended the tournament on Sunday by donning the coveted Green Jacket as the champion. He started Sunday trailing Brooks Koepka by four strokes and after 30 holes (including the conclusion of the rain-delayed third round), he won by four shots over Koepka and Phil Mickelson. Rahm put on an outstanding performance and overcame the crazy weather and challenges that Augusta presented him throughout the weekend. The victory gives the 28-year-old Spaniard his second Major win (U.S. Open 2021) and he now sits at No. 1 on the world golf ranking. Winning others majors or even other tournaments are a big deal, but the ultimate prize in golf is the Green Jacket. Golfers from all over the world desire to be a Masters Champion because everything changes when they put on the Green Jacket in Butler Cabin. Jon Rahm will always be known as a Masters Champion as he joins a special group of previous winners and will now partake in the yearly “Champions Dinner,” including hosting it next year. He was a well-known golfer before this weekend, but he’ll be known in an even bigger way around the world. Many benefits of winning the Masters (beyond the $3.24 million check) are hard to quantify, including the doors that open, being viewed as a winner, and the confidence that increases after knowing you’re capable of winning such a competitive tournament. As a winner, there are also additional perks. Rahm now has access to The Champion’s Locker Room at Augusta, a lifetime exemption into the Masters, and an honorary membership to Augusta National Golf Club. For professional golfers, winning the Masters is life-changing and career-altering, so "congratulations" to Jon Rahm for being this year’s champion. On Sunday, as followers of Jesus, we celebrated something much more important and truly life-changing and eternity-altering - the resurrection of Jesus Christ! His victory over sin and death made it possible for us to become “champions” when we place our faith in Him. When we surrender our lives to Jesus and decide to follow Him, “we put on” His righteousness and are victorious. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT) declares, “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul writes in Philippians 3:9 (NLT), “...I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.” The perks of being a member of God’s “club,” or rather "family," are endless but include the free gift of salvation from our sin and eternal life with God. We are also forgiven, our soul is at peace, and we are given the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us. Romans 8:11 (NLT) tells us, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” The benefits also include being well-known by God and the ability to know the God of the universe personally and intimately. We now have confidence because of our victory in Christ and gain direct access to God. Ephesians 3:12 (NLT) explains, “Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” When we are in Christ, we are united with Him and are given an “exemption” and entrance into eternal life, regardless of our past, current, or future sins. Jesus says in John 5:24 (AMP) “'I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My Word , and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life , and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed from death into life.'” This allows us to live with hope, peace, and security instead of fear, worry, and sadness. I’m sure it’s pretty sweet to put on the Green Jacket and be a Masters Champion forever, and Jon Rahm will never be the same after yesterday’s victory. But today, let’s be reminded that Jesus’ death and resurrection change everything and when we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, we are never the same. We can now say, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20; ESV). I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing Jesus to pay my sin debt on the cross and for making me victorious with Him. I thank You for continuing to change me and change my life. I’m not who I once was. I thank You for giving me access to know You and to confidently trust You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. How has Jesus changed your life? 2. What benefits of being in Christ do you take for granted or forget to fully embrace?
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