After the turkey was eaten and the naps taken, like many Americans on Thanksgiving night I watched the Washington Redskins play the Dallas Cowboys with my family. At the end of that game something happened that shocked me. DeAngelo Hall, a player for the Washington Redskins made a very unselfish play. It was late in the fourth quarter and Dallas was trying to make a furious comeback and to do that they had to try an onside kick. The kick went right to DeAngelo Hall for the Redskins and he ran the ball down the sidelines for what looked to be a sure touchdown. However, DeAngelo slide down at the two yard line and allowed a Dallas player to touch him. A commentator later said that was the most “unselfish play” he has ever seen from DeAngelo Hall or any modern-day player. This is shocking because like many of today’s athletes, Hall many times falls into the “look at me” crowd. Maybe you are asking yourself, why is this important isn’t the point of sports to score as many points as you can? Most of the time you would be correct. Yet on this occasion DeAngelo did the right thing. If he would have scored a touchdown, then Washington would have had to kick-off to Dallas and they could have run the kick-off back for a touchdown, and then tried another onside kick. If they would recover the onside kick they would have probably one or two opportunities to throw a Hail Mary pass to try to win the game (I know that is a very unlikely scenario, but possible nonetheless). Since DeAngelo was effectively tackled at the two yard line, Washington’s offense had to come onto the field to snap the ball, and with Dallas not having a time out left, one kneel down by Washington and the game was over. Therefore, the possible scenario for Dallas became impossible, and thus makes Hall’s slide not only unselfish but also intelligent.
Now consider what Jesus did on behalf of all humanity. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:6-8, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Notice the Creator stepped into His own creation, became a part of His creation, and ultimately laid down His life for His creation. 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (sermon text used by Dr. Don Cockes @WBC yesterday). Then we are reminded in Mark 10:45, “ For even the Son of man came not to be ministered (served) unto, but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many. Jesus Christ showed us the most unselfish example possible by coming into the world He created and laying down His life for those He created. The result of Jesus’ unselfish sacrifice is given to us in Ephesians 2:13, 19 “Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ; Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” We were once alienated from God, but because of the blood we are not “fellowcitizens of God.” One unselfish act, made a world of difference! Are you living for yourself or for God? As Christians (those who are to be Christ-like) we are to follow the example set for us. If Jesus lived selflessly, how can we who love Him live any different than He did? May our live reflect what Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him!