One of the big debates in sports right now is who should be named MVP for the NBA’s regular season. Multiple players are always deserving, but this year’s award will come down to either Giannis Antetokounmpo or James Harden.

Media members and fans make their own decision based on how they view the candidates’ stories and stats.

Giannis Antetokounmpo became a superstar this year by leading the Bucks to the best record in the Eastern Conference. He dominated all season while averaging career highs in points (27.7), rebounds (12.5), assists (5.9), and field-goal percentage (57.8). His ability to get to the rim and score in the paint is unmatched. With his size and athleticism, he’s basically unguardable.

James Harden, on the other hand, averaged the second-most points per game (36.1) in the last 50 years, behind Michael Jordan, and he helped lead the Rockets to 53 wins in the challenging Western Conference. He had nine games where he scored 50 points or more, including two games with 61.

Both guys were amazing and the story of the NBA season centered around what Giannis and Harden accomplished. The MVP voters were required to decide what to do with the facts on the table…and they had to choose.

As we focus on Easter this weekend, we are reminded that the story of this world is centered around Jesus and what He accomplished while He was on earth. Now, each of us must decide what to do with the facts on the table and whether or not to choose Him.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT), “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”

He also tells us in Romans 3:23-25 (NLT), “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in his sight.

“He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding his blood…”

This remarkable historical story has eternal life-changing implications. How we all respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ determines how we live today and where we spend eternity.

Praise be to God that He made a way for us to be saved through the powerful work of Jesus. There’s nothing more valuable than that!

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I believe You sent Jesus to die on the cross to pay the punishment for my sin. I believe the Bible is true and You are a Holy God. I admit that I’m a sinner in need of grace. I believe Your amazing redemptive story is the truth, and I’m thankful to receive the free gift of salvation through faith. It’s in Jesus’ powerful name I pray, Amen.