Monday Morning Quarterback

A series on the Judges of Israel
 – Samson from the tribe of Dan
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Judges 16:4-30 

[The book of Judges is a roller coaster ride. It’s about the history of Israel following their entry into the Promised Land. Unfortunately, Israel went through cycles of rejecting God and then repenting. Each time, the Lord saved them by raising up a leader who was called a judge. In this series, we will be looking at some of these judges to learn about God’s character as well as our own.]

  

Every Wednesday, I have a zoom call with a good friend of mine who lives in Nevada. At some point during the call the conversation invariably turns to the most recent Michigan State football game.

 

True to the “experts” that we are, we analyze the problems that the Spartans are having and what they need to do in order to correct them. If only the coach would contact us, I’m sure we’d have things turned around in no time. You could easily call us a “Monday morning quarterback”.

 

Sampson is an easy target for a Monday morning quarterback.

 

Once again Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord. As a result, he handed them over to the Philistines who oppressed them for forty years. During that time the angel of the Lord appeared to a barren woman telling her that she would become pregnant and that her son would take the lead in delivering Israel from the Philistines.

 

True to the word of the angel, she gave birth to a son who she named Samson. Unfortunately, he became a flawed man with feet of clay. Although he was feared far and wide, he also had a weakness for Philistine women that led to his demise.

 

There are a series of bizarre stories that revolve around a Philistine woman that Samson insisted on marrying. These stories put on public display his compulsive, violent and vengeful behavior. However, the Lord was at work through this as Samson confronted the Philistines.

 

Later when Samson fell in love with Delilah, the rulers of the Philistines offered her a significant bribe to find out what gave Samson his strength. Motivated by greed, Delilah nagged Samson “day after day until he was sick to death of it”.

 

Having grown weary of her nagging, he finally told her that it was his hair. With this information, the Philistines were able to capture Samson, gouging out his eyes. In the closing story, the Philistine rulers gathered together to celebrate in the temple of their god Dagon.

 

But with one final act of revenge, Samson asked the Lord to give him the strength that he might kill all who were present at the gathering, including himself. There were over three thousand men and women praising their god for capturing their mortal enemy, when Samson brought the temple down on top of them.

 

As an experienced Monday morning quarterback, I would say that Samson had some great strengths, but also some glaring weaknesses. Despite this, God worked in and through his life.

 

In fact, he is mentioned as one of the heroes of the faith in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. Here’s what is written about Samson and some others.

³³ By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.        NLT

 

Like Samson, none of us are perfect, and yet the Lord has called us to serve him by faith.

 

Copyright 2024 Joseph B Williams

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A Place Called Home

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

John 14:1-14

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A1-14&version=NIV;NLT

 

My wife and I are big Michigan State football fans.

 

She grew up going to the games because her Dad had season tickets. Years later, when we were first married and I was still in school there, we bought season tickets. Then, about twelve years ago, we bought season tickets again and have been going ever since. Needless to say, we live and die with every play.

 

I’m only slightly embarrassed to confess that I also record the games on our DVR. Then, sometime during the following week, I watch it again. Only the second time is without stress. It doesn’t matter how many first downs we give up, turnovers we commit, opportunities we miss or points our opponents score; because I already know the final outcome.

 

The same must have been true for Jesus’ disciples after his resurrection. We know that they faced extremely difficult times with many of them ending their life as martyrs. What kept them focused during such extreme persecution? How did they handle the stress?

 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.   NLT

 

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples before he was crucified. When Jesus fulfills this promise, it will be an amazing milestone. Following his ascension, Jesus’ disciples could securely rest in his promise to return for them. The Good News for us is that his words still hold true today.

 

When life is difficult; when you are experiencing pain and suffering; when a loved one suddenly dies or you lose your job or feel rejected or are struck down with a critical illness; you already know the final outcome. You know that Jesus is preparing a place for you to join him.

 

It’s a place called home.

 

 

 

 

Turning Point

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

Mark 8:27-37

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208%3A27-37&version=NIV;NLT

 

“Who do people say I am?”

When I asked this question of my daughter, her response was…

 

Joe, Dad, Grandpa and a Michigan State fan. All of these are true. You could probably also add insurance agent, Christian and a nice guy. Jesus casually posed this same question to his disciples as they were walking to a village.

 

 

 

²⁸ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” ²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”       NIV

 

I’m not sure that Jesus really cared what other people thought about him. However, he most certainly cared what those closest to him thought. And although Peter had the right answer, he had the wrong expectations. Jesus explained that the “Son of Man” must suffer, be rejected and killed; but would rise again.

 

³² As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.  NLT

 

Peter’s expectations of the Messiah didn’t match up with what Jesus told them. But Jesus needed to make sure that his disciples understood; not only who he was, but also what that meant for him, as well as them. He had to reeducate them to prepare them for the future.

 

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?            NIV

             ³⁷ Is anything worth more than your soul?       NLT

 

The series of events in this passage, were a turning point in Jesus’ life and ministry; a milestone if you will. From this point forward, he headed to Jerusalem. This was his purpose; his destiny.

 

What turning point are you facing in your life? What is your purpose; your destiny? How have you answered Jesus’ two life changing questions: “Who do you say that I am” and “Is anything more important than your soul”?

 

As a follower of Jesus, your answer to those two questions are critical. They shape how you live your life; how you make decisions; what your priorities are. They are the turning point of your life.

 

 

 

 

 

There is No “I” in TEAM

Romans 12

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

“There is no “I” in TEAM”. It’s a nice platitude, but is it practical; is it realistic?

 

I love college football and am a huge fan of my alma mater, Michigan State. This year they have three running backs, and all three are very talented. In fact, they have all started in years past and have had great games.

 

Gerald Holmes is a senior, but he isn’t the feature back. Yet he stands out to me because he’s willing to do the dirty work that doesn’t gain headlines. He is probably the best blocker of the three. And, when he’s on the bench, and there’s a big play by one of the other backs, he’s right there cheering them on. He believes, “There is no “I” in TEAM.

 

Although he didn’t use this saying, Paul urged the Romans to live by it.

 

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to

one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.       NIV

 

Any coach could quote these verses to motivate their team to play as a team and not a bunch of individuals. Any boss could encourage their employees with the same message to work as a team. Any parent could remind their children that being a family means sharing. Any pastor could preach about using your gifts for the good of the body of Christ.

 

However, human nature trends in the opposite direction. If left to their own devices, players competing for playing time do what’s best for them, not for the team. Employees bicker and backbite instead of encourage. Children argue and fight. Churches gossip and divide.

 

But God has called us to work together as a team in all of our circumstances. God has called us to love with sincerity for the good of the team; to use the gifts He has given us, for the good of the team; to sacrifice what might benefit us most, for the good of the team.

 

It is true that there is no “I” in TEAM. However, there is a “U” in the body of Christ when “you” offer yourself as a living sacrifice.

  

Therefore, I urge YOU, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.        NIV

 

 

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Reach Higher

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

 

When does God speak to your heart? When do you see the light?

 
 

Last weekend I went to the Big Ten Championship football

game in Indianapolis. On Michigan State’s final drive, or some might call it the Championship Drive, they had the ball for 22 plays, 82 yards and 9 plus minutes. It was a drive for the ages.

 

In dramatic style, with 27 seconds left in the game, down by 4 on third down and goal, LJ Scott - a true freshman - was hit by no less than 6 Iowa Hawkeyes. But he still managed to stretch his right hand out while holding the ball to break the plane of the end zone and score the winning touchdown.

 

This was an amazing effort by the Spartans to endure, persevere and overcome. There were many roadblocks in the way of their victory. It would have been easy to give up; to say “I can’t do it”. There was a worthy adversary working extremely hard to keep them from
succeeding. But finally they crossed the line; they reached their goal.

 

There are many roadblocks that can get in the way of hearing God speak to you. Paul mentions some of them in 2 Corinthians. Losing heart, self-centered motivation, preaching something other than Christ and Satan blinding people from seeing: All of these can blind you; can keep you from seeing the light of Jesus.

 

But Paul also wrote, ^6 “It was God Who said, “The light will shine in darkness.” He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God’s shining-greatness which is seen in Christ’s face.”                      NLV

 

God opens our eyes to His light when the time is right. Years ago, one of my sisters shared the Gospel with me without a positive response. I wasn’t ready. But God cultivated my heart, and when I was ready, He brought someone into my life to draw me closer to Him.

 

The Spartans have a tag line this year given to them by their coach… “Reach Higher”. It is supposed to help motivate them when adversity strikes; when the game seems to be over; when it seems like they will never score.

 

As Christians, we have more than a tag line. We have a God who loves us, is always at work in our lives, is constantly drawing us to Him, has given us gifts to be used for His purposes and has called us to ministry.

This is the God who will never leave you; who will help you reach the goal that is at the end of a 22 play drive.


This is the God who will help you… “Reach Higher”.