“And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:47-51 King James Version)
On the sidelines, thousands of miles from the game being played, this “coach” sees a play developing. There is a lot of movement in the offense, but it is easy to see how the play was to be ran. Three of the players go to places on the court that left the lane to the basket pretty much open. The two other players have their assignments for the play. One is dribbling back and forth through his legs. He fakes right as if he is going to the right corner of the court. All of a sudden, he goes left, nearly leaving his man stumbling. But the defensive player regains his stance and stays with his man. The other player not involved in the movement of the first three players that I first described, he was to set a pick so his teammate could drive to his left and take advantage of the open lane for an easy score. That’s the way the play was to work. However, the player that was to set the pick pops out, looking for the ball to be thrown to him. That was not the play! Just because he already had 30 points and he was confident in his shooting ability, he should have ran the play as it was drawn out.
The “coach” who could not be seen or heard raises his voice and says, “Get over here (on the bench)! didn’t I say set the pick? What were you doing?” Of course, the player had no verbal response and his body language, suggested that he did not even hear “the coach.” That was all this “coach” miles away could see. However, the “coach” who could not be seen or heard through the television airwaves raises his voice as if he was actually in the arena, and he loudly speaks as if he was on the sideline, animated and angry, “Sit down…and not by me! Go to the end of the bench! You ought to know what a pick is by now! Nobody said pick and pop!”
The “coach” who could not be seen or heard is finally told by his wife, “They can’t see you or hear you. Calm down!” Let me make it clearer. She specifically said, “Calm down, Pastor!” Opps! The “coach” did just that, but not without a little mumbling and grumbling in a low voice. He was definitely the coach who could not be seen or heard! I wonder how high “his” blood pressure was at the moment. Again, I say, “Opps!”
This “coach: was not like Jesus, Peter’s “Coach.” When Peter pulled out his knife and cut off the centurion’s ear, he simply corrected Peter. He did not raise His voice with an agitated, aggravated, attitude. To the contrary! He was about to do something major, something no one else could do; not a prophet, not a lawgiver, not a king, and not even an angel. “Coach” Jesus was on His way to the cross to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. But back to His coaching style. He did not bench Peter.
Even after He witnessed Peter denying Him as He was be taken in for one of His trials, He just looked at Peter. Further down the line, tied into this more than a game account, centered around a serious, graceful act of redemption, Coach Jesus, after His resurrection, He had a talk with Peter. He did not re-live or review his bad play of denials! He did not tell Peter to get away from him! He did not regulate Him to some type of bench were he would never be called on again. No, he was instructed to “Feed my sheep,” “Tend to my lambs,” and “Tend to my sheep.”
Oh I don’t know about you, but I am glad that “Coach” Jesus has shown me love! I’m glad that “Coach” Jesus has shown me mercy! I’m glad that “Coach” Jesus has forgiven me more than once for not “running the plays” that He explicitly demonstrated and patiently taught during His earthly ministry. How about you! Aren’t you glad that Jesus is your “Coach!” Look at His style! Look at how He helps you run the plays by giving you the Holy Spirit! Look at how He sits above at the right hand of throne of the Commissioner’s office (the throne of our gracious God), interceding for us! And please understand that He has not given up on you! He is still depending on you to “run the plays!” So, what are you going to do? Yes, it’s Friday, another blessed “game day.” Hence, go ye therefore, and run the plays! By the way, even though you cannot visibly see Him, He sees you and hears you. And you can hear Him, if you just get in His word. The Holy Spirit will help too! Be blessed!
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17 NIV)
Mark L. King