If you follow football you will almost certainly be aware of a recent giant killing in the FA Cup when the holders, Crystal Palace, were knocked out by non-league Macclesfield Town who play their football six divisions below the Premier League. You may also recall a similar thing two years ago when Ipswich Town lost to Maidstone United who were playing at the same level that Macclesfield Town are now. It’s what commentators love to call the ‘magic of the FA Cup’.
I have personally experienced that magic 50 years ago and, coincidentally, my experience also involved Maidstone United only this time they were the Goliath rather than the David. I supported a team called Cray Wanderers who played at a local level many divisions below the Football league. Maidstone were playing at the highest non-league level. We drew them in an early round of the FA Cup and, despite nobody giving us a chance, we won 2-1. I remember well the sense of amazement, disbelief and utter joy all rolled into one.
Recently I heard someone describe Christian faith in footballing terms. Imagine, if you will, a poor, struggling team that gets constantly beaten. But then, somehow, you get to sign a star player who turns everything around. You start winning games and winning through rounds of the FA Cup until finally, at the end of the season, you are in the final. It’s something you couldn’t have imagined doing on your own. Your team wasn’t strong enough. It’s all down to this superstar who is now playing for you and … he wins the Cup for you, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with two last-minute goals. Imagine yourself watching on and celebrating wildly with that same sense of amazement, disbelief and joy that I experienced all those years ago.
I said this was used to describe the Christian life because Jesus is that superstar who comes and plays alongside us. He comes and plays for team humanity and he helps us beat those things that otherwise we would struggle against – guilt, shame, temptations of every kind, sickness and, ultimately, sin and death. On our own they are stronger than we are but with Jesus on our team we have the victory over them.
It is tempting to see Jesus as a coach who laid down good tactical advice 2000 years ago and who is watching from the sidelines as we put that advice into practice today. The reality, though, is that, through the Holy Spirit, he is still that superstar on the pitch with us helping us against our opponents. Without him we are weak. With him we have the victory – and the celebration!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Help me to see that I am not fighting my battles on my own but you are alongside me. Help me know that even though I may be weak, you are the one who wins victories for me. Amen.