The Giver is Greater

As I watched television last night, a man climbed a platform to be recognized with an award of excellence in Australian Rules Football.  The round medal was connected to a ribbon to be worn around the neck similar to medals awarded during the Olympic games.  The recipient bowed his head as a smiling presenter carefully placed the medal.  The man slowly stood up, and raised a fist in triumph as he acknowledged the cheering crowd.  It struck me that while the athletes generally receive the glory or recognition, the game of Australian Rules Football is bigger than each individual player.  Awards given for excellence are even greater than the star players.  The man literally had to bow to receive the award from the presenter who represented the league which gives the player any credibility at all!

The Olympic games are greater than any single athlete.  That spectacle of sport is a bigger stage than any personality.  The greater the stage and the higher the stakes only magnify the glory of the participants.  In the United States at the moment the National Football League and the players are in the middle of a labour dispute.  The owners of each franchise own the rights to the NFL, but the players claim the NFL wouldn't be what it is without their talent.  Though it is a mutually beneficial relationship, I side with the owners.  Without the National Football League those players would be virtually unknowns:  no advertising campaigns, no video games, no television coverage, no multi-million dollar contracts.  The NFL is bigger than any player.  Players are drafted and retire, traded, succumb to injury or rise to stardom, but the league keeps churning on.  Every year 32 teams battle for the coveted Vince Lambardi trophy.  The game is bigger than them all.  The game honors the greatest NFL players in a Hall of Fame:  the players do not honor the game by playing, though many play honorably.

This line of thinking led me to consider of the relationship between Jesus and His followers.  Jesus has died on the cross, risen from the dead, and ascended to heaven.  Because He physically has left the earth, Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within and come upon every believer.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God has given spiritual gifts (not awards or rewards!) so we might honor Jesus Christ and edify the church.  To receive these gifts we must not only bow our heads but lay down our will to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire.  In some circles today, the gifts of the Spirit almost eclipse the view of Jesus.  He is seen as our means to obtain power and this is sin.  Jesus is not a means but our ultimate all:  as Christ lay down His will before the Father, we ought to lay down our will completely before Him.

No matter how decorated a general might be, the country who granted him a career and recognition remains greater than he.  How true it is that a man of authority must be a man under authority!  While athletes are governed by rules of conduct and sportsmanship, Christians are under the authority of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit who make up the triune God as revealed in the Bible.  No man can cast a shadow upon Christ no matter how gifted or skilled he might be.  While men are recognized for their talents on gridiron or their volunteer work off of it, every gift given by God to man is received only by grace.  Is any person worthy to receive even a scrap from their Creator's table, much less to be counted fellow-heirs with Jesus Christ?  Romans 8:14-17 reads, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

While professional football players receive glory on the field, there is also a measure of suffering they endure for their effort:  knee replacements, chronic arthritis and pain, early onset of dementia from head injuries, even paralysis or death.  Christians are called to give all glory to God despite certain suffering as we serve Him faithfully.  Consider the next verse:  Romans 8:18 says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  For children of God it is not the promise of rewards, gifts, awards, or compensation which moves us to serve God:  it is love!  God has revealed such gracious love to us in sending His Son Jesus to die for us!  What a privilege to be permitted to serve and even suffer for His name's sake.  Every gift we receive from God's hand gives us greater appreciation and love for Him!  His gifts are greater than us, and God is greater than His gifts.  Let us bow our heads and thank Him for such indescribable gifts of salvation, forgiveness, peace, joy, grace, mercy, and love - all with infinite quantity and divine quality!