God's Coaching #247

God's Coaching #247

Mark Herzlich was used to tough opponents. As a star linebacker at Boston College, he regularly faced some of the best football teams in the country. But in 2009, Mark encountered his greatest foe yet: cancer. Doctors discovered a large cancerous tumor in Mark’s left leg. He was forced to undergo six months of chemotherapy and four weeks of radiation treatment. He also had to have a 12-inch titanium rod inserted into his leg. In October 2009, he was pronounced cancer free, but he had missed the entire season while recovering.

Finally, on September 4, 2010, Mark played in his first game in 21 months, making four tackles in Boston College’s 38–20 win over Weber State. His inspirational comeback story made national headlines. “Not many of us have experienced miracles,” Boston College head coach Frank Spaziani told reporters. “Mark experienced one.”

What’s the Score?

Jesus was in the business of miracles. During his public ministry on earth, he healed the deaf, blind, mute, sick, leprous, paralyzed, demon possessed, and those with all other sorts of maladies. He even raised the dead. But Jesus had a greater purpose than healing sickness. His greatest concern was healing people’s hearts.

As scary as cancer (or any other life-threatening disease) is, each of us faces a far more deadly foe—our sin. Disease can kill the body, but sin can destroy our souls and separate us from God forever. When Jesus healed people, he wanted to see their faith more than anything. We see one example of this in Mark 2, when Jesus heals a paralytic, who went to great lengths to see Jesus. Interestingly, Jesus didn’t heal him right away, but rather told him, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Only later did Jesus heal the man physically.

Jesus knew the man’s greatest need was to be reconciled to God through the forgiveness of his sins. We also must remember that our greatest need is not our physical health, but the salvation of our souls.

On the Ball

Pray for people you know who are sick. And if they aren’t Christians, pray for God to save them from their sins.

Coach’s Comment

“I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” Mark 2:10-11