What is a champion? Who is # 1?
During the 1960’s and 1970’s brought Smokin
Joe vs Ali,
and Ali with his many famous quotes.
ESPN reports this comment from (Muhammad) Ali regarding God:
"I won the title, became
champion, powerful and strong. And then God tries you, fixes it
so it's hard to talk, hard to walk. I'm blessed and thankful to God that I
understand He's
trying me. He gave me this illness to remind me that I'm not Number One. He is."
--Addressing his battle with Parkinson's disease, 1999
Ali is not the only person to learn that they weren’t #1,
that there was someone
else that is more powerful, more important and more loving than they were.
Question – Whom do you consider a champion?
Question - Who (or what) is # 1 in your life?
The following is from the Edited Messages on Luke by
J.
The
Infant King
And it came
to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus,
that all the world should be taxed….And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out
of the
city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his
espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were
there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1, 4-7)
I am thrilled when I read this simple, historically accurate passage with
tremendous
spiritual truth behind it. Caesar Augustus attempted to make himself a god. He
wanted to
be worshiped. He signed a tax bill which caused a woman and man, peasants,
living in
Son of God! This is tremendous! Caesar Augustus tried to make himself God, but
nobody
today reverences him or pays taxes to him. But that little baby in Mary’s womb
– many
of us worship Him today and call Him our Savior.
Dr. Luke gets right down to the little human details in this passage. He
is saying that
Mary put swaddling clothes on this little child – baby clothes and diapers on
the Son of
God! How perfectly human He was – God manifest in the flesh!
Many people ask the question, “When was Jesus Christ born?” It could not
have been in
the dead of winter or the shepherds would not have been out at night with their
sheep. But
the date of His birth is irrelevant, just as the day upon which He was
crucified is
irrelevant. The Scripture does not say when He was born; the important thing is that He
was born. The Scripture does not say when He was crucified; the important thing is that
He died for our sins.
And, lo,
the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round
about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not:
for,
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you
is born this day in the city of
It is wonderful to see a little baby come into the world, and your heart
goes out to him;
there is a sympathy that goes from you to him. That is the way God entered the
world. He
could have entered – as He will when He comes to earth the second time – in
power and
great glory. Instead, He came in the weakest way possible, as a baby. He did
not lay aside
His deity; He laid aside His glory. There should have been more than just a few
shepherds and angels to welcome Him – all of creation should have been
there.
And this
shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger. (Luke 2:12)
Again Dr. Luke is emphasizing His humanity. He came into this world as a
human being.
He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. God knows about mankind. He
knows
you, and He knows me. He understands us because He came into this world a human
being. This also means that we can know something about God, because He took
upon
Himself our humanity.
The above was from the Edited Messages on Luke by
J.
Questions:
- Whom do you consider a champion?
- Who was Joseph?
- Who was Mary?
- Are we subject to
others controlling some areas of our own personal life?
(Caesar
Augustus controlled Joseph and Mary to some degree –
some good – some bad)
- Has anything happen in your life that has humbled you before God?
- Do you believe that God loves you deeper than any other person?
- Who (or what) is #1 in your life?
- Have you accepted God to lead your life?
References:
Some of the above information was found on the following
websites
on Dec. 01, 2006:
http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.hvKSLdMYIsG/b.441549/k.ED9D/May_I_Say.htm
http://www.sportsgalleryweb.com/boxing.htm#photos
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2672185