Not all the competitors in an event at the Olympic games from Tokyo received medals. Every competitor in an event had to aim to reach the world record mark and go beyond it. They hoped to break world records.
They wanted to push the bar of excellence higher. The Olympic games are focused on winners becoming first or second or third in the whole world. The ultimate prize is to win the gold medal and thus become the best in the world, at least for the time being.
Ed, my old neighbour in Saskatchewan, told me many folks like himself could be the best in the world without needing a medal to prove it. In fact, Ed has a T-shirt that reads “Best Grandpa in the World,” which is at least worth some silver to his grandkids.
I told Ed I like the quote from Dan Gable: “Gold medals are really made of sweat, determination and the hard-to-find alloy called guts.” My old neighbour contends that Olympic athletes have a natural ability that makes them successful.
Ed says, “The person who can swim like a fish will naturally get a medal before a person like me who swims like a stone.” I suggested to Ed that if he practiced, he too could swim like a fish. He replied that he has no desire to practice and become like a fish.
Anyone interested in the Olympics knows that the athletes take practice very seriously. It is not about being able to swim like a fish but being willing to practice swimming with dedication. If you want to be the best, you must be ready to practice more than others are willing to do.
Mckayla Maroney, as an athlete, says, “Don’t practice til you get it right; practice until you can't get it wrong.” An athlete must exert great effort, self-discipline, sacrifice, dedication and determination to win a medal.
As both man and God, Jesus was on Earth to engage in a mighty competition to win the salvation of sinners. He was able to face stiff opposition as the Son of God. Most of us would admit we could not compete and win a gold medal without good natural ability, thorough training and practice and a fierce desire to succeed. But, unfortunately, not so many people are willing to concede they are not the best in the world at being sinless.
When it comes to sin, we all need more than coaching in the practice of overcoming it. We need faith in God’s Saviour from sin, Jesus Christ. He came to be the best in the world for all time at being perfect in the keeping of God's laws on our behalf. Jesus laid down his life for our sins on the cross so that his blood purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7) “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus Christ, the righteous One, is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 1:8-9, 2:1-2) Jesus helps us gain the gold medal of forgiveness before God the Father.
