God's Coaching #175

God's Coaching #175

On this day, the Washington Wizards selected University of Kentucky freshman John Wall as the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. Immediately, John was heralded as the Wizards’ franchise savior. This team certainly needed some help. Earlier in the 2009–2010 season, star guard Gilbert Arenas was suspended for the final 50 games after bringing guns into the locker room. The Wizards finished with a miserable 26–56 record, which wasn’t unusual. The team had only won one play-off series (2005) in the previous 27 years.

So when the 19-year-old arrived in Washington, DC, a day after the draft, the Wizards gave John a red-carpet welcome—literally. A police-escorted limousine chauffeured him from the airport to the team’s home arena, Verizon Center, where hundreds of fans awaited him under hanging banners that read, “Wall: Game Changer.” He walked into his new home court on a red carpet. DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty proclaimed June 25 “John Wall Day,” and the Wizards showed a “Welcome to DC” video that featured some of the city’s top professional athletes, including Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb.

What’s the Score?

On average, most No. 1 draft picks who are dubbed franchise saviors never live up to expectations. For every top selection who turns into a superstar, such as Dwight Howard (2004) or Tim Duncan (1997), there’s a Kwame Brown (2001) or Pervis Ellison (1989). (If you’re wondering who those last two players are, that’s the point.) And that’s just in the NBA. The NFL, the NHL, Major League Baseball, and other professional sports leagues all have similar stories. Doling out “franchise savior” labels in sports is always risky business.

Thankfully, when it comes to our eternal salvation, there is one true, unquestioned Savior—Jesus Christ. He alone can save us because he is the only person who lived a sinless life, died, and rose again from the grave. Jesus, who was both fully God and fully man, is our Savior because he provided forgiveness of sins when no one else could.

On the Ball

Get a piece of paper and ask your parents to help you list 10 reasons why Jesus Christ is an awesome Savior.

Coach’s Comment

They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:42