Remembering the Bad

​Adults: Please look over this devotion before sharing with youngsters. It does deal with an adult theme… which you may not wish to explain. Pastor K..

TITLE: Remembering the Bad
DATE: December 11, 2018
TEXT: 1 John 1:8-9 - (ESV) -  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

In the world of sports there are team rivalries and there are TEAM RIVALRIES.

The annual football game between Yale and Harvard, fits into that second category. Because that is so, when the helmeted and padded representatives of those schools take the field, it is just naturally expected that these young men will do their best to bring pride, prestige and bragging rights to their alma mater. This year’s battle between Yale and Harvard was no different.

For the first three quarters of the game the score had been close. It could have gone either way.  

But then, in the 4th quarter, Harvard’s running back, Devin Darrington got the ball and exploded up the middle for a 27-yard touchdown. At least a touchdown is what should have been the result of Devin’s run. But there was a problem. The problem was this: as Devin hit the five-yard-line he turned to his pursuers and gave them a gesture which is pretty-much recognized as being insulting.

The gesture produced some repercussion, such as

1. The Ref called, “Unsportsmanlike conduct” and negated the touchdown
2. Harvard’s Coach Tim Murphy, observed, “The bottom line is: He (Devin) was wrong.”

Later, Coach Murphy added, “I'm just so grateful to our team that he didn't have to… live with that for a year or however many years." That was the coach’s way of saying,  “If we had lost that game because of Devin’s showboating and insulting gesture, every single alumni would have remembered what Devin had done, reminded him of what he had done and made him pay for the embarrassing and unnecessary loss.”

It wouldn’t be the first time the world has forgotten the good a person has done and concentrated on recalling the bad.

• George Custer was a hero after the Civil War, but people only really remember his disastrous “last stand.”
• England’s Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, may have been a wise statesman, but that all is pushed to the side as people recall him caving into Hitler so we might have “Peace for our time.”  
• The disciple  Thomas was ready to die with Jesus in Jerusalem, but he is not remembered for his willingness to faithfully follow. No, he is called “Doubting” Thomas because he challenged his friends who had said the Savior had risen and was alive.

All of which leads us to two thoughts about the Christian life. The first reminds us that even though we sin, the Lord has promised to forgive us because of the Savior’s sacrifice. Jesus’ entire time on earth was dedicated to making forgiveness and salvation a reality for all who believe.

The second thought is a reminder: people are not as forgiving as is the Lord. They remember for a very long time all the errors, mistakes and sins Christians make. They remember and see the Savior through the sinful shortcomings of our lives. Which is why we need to keep our noses and our lives as clean as possible.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let our days be lived in thanksgiving to the Savior Who gave His life so we might have life and for our neighbors so they may see in us the transforming power of Your great grace. In Jesus’ Name Amen.
 
Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Liam Quinn for Fox News on November 17, 2018. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/harvard-has-touchdown-called-back-against-yale-after-running-backs-obscene-gesture
 
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago  confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html