God's Coaching #221

God's Coaching #221

Jesse Owens was a soft-spoken man, but his performance at the 1936 Olympics made a statement loud enough for the whole world to hear. The Olympics that year were in Germany—Adolf Hitler’s Germany, not long before World War II. Hitler proclaimed that the German race was superior to all others. He was especially prejudiced toward black and Jewish people. The Nazis and their swastika symbols were everywhere. They wanted to use the Olympics to prove that Germans were the best.

Talk about a hostile crowd! But Jesse, an African American sprinter, demolished Hitler’s racist lies. He did it by winning not just one gold medal, but four! Between August 3 and 9, Jesse won the 100 meters, long jump, 200 meters, and 400-meter relay. No athlete had ever won four Olympic gold medals before. It took until 1984 for American Carl Lewis to repeat the feat in track and field. Jesse’s medals were a great sports accomplishment, but an even greater victory for humanity. He showed the world that the color of a person’s skin doesn’t matter.

What’s the Score?

Jesse received a ticker-tape parade in New York City after the Olympics, but he still couldn’t ride the elevator with white people. Unfortunately, even the United States didn’t treat all people equally in those days.

God designed all colors and races of people. The variety is part of the beauty of his creation. Jesus made it clear that he brought God’s salvation and Kingdom to all people and cultures. Paul said it doesn’t matter what our race, heritage, or social status is. He said, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). It’s our job as his followers to treat all people equally with God’s love. We might not win a medal, but our actions of reaching out to people of different colors can speak loudly.

On the Ball

Make friends with someone from another race, culture, or country. If everyone around looks the same as you, talk to your parents about finding a way to connect with other kids from different races.

Coach’s Comment

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28