“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17 ESV)
During a timeout Coach D draws up an out-of-bounds play for his team. Each of the players in the huddle hears the specific instructions detailed by the coach and they know their roles. Two are to set picks, one is designated to run to the opposite side of the floor where the ball was being inbounded, taking his defensive player with him. The referee hands the ball to the player taking the ball out and starts his five-second count, the time allowed before an infraction for not getting the ball in play timely. The play that the coach is unfolding, just as the coach diagramed. However, the player with the ball on the left side of the basket, taking the ball out-of-bounds, sees the referee stroking his hand up and down, and he appears to panic. The player guarding him has his back turned to be ready to defend whoever catches the ball. As the referee’s hand goes down for the third time, the player decides to try and throw the ball off his defensive player’s backside. His plan was to step quickly in bounds, get the ball that was supposed to bounce off the player defending him and score easily to win the game. Things don’t go as planned in the player’s mind. His quick dependence on his mind rather than the mind of the knowing coach got in the way. That happens in life, doesn’t it? The ball bounces a different angle and goes back out of bounds. Time is lost off the clock, but at least the player’s team gets one more chance to score and win the game. Now, you would think the coach would have been furious and you would have guessed that the coach, with a fast, finger pointing motion, would send the failing player who did not stay with the drawn up play to the bench. There are consequences when you don’t run the play, even in life, right?
Well, surprisingly, the coach tells all the players to sit down, that is except the one who did not run the play, the player who was taking the ball out. The other players are looking on, expecting to hear some extreme language, escalated words, and possibly even an expletive or two. However, instead, the coach shows some compassion. He did not scold the player. He did not scream at the player. He did not send him to the bench to remain there for the rest of the game and perhaps the rest of the season. He initially says, “We are going to do it again. This time, run the play!” The player nods his head in affirmation. The coach repeats a second time, “Run the play!” Again, the player shakes his heads up and down to indicate he would do as the coach had instructed him to do. The player hears the referee blow the whistle summoning the players back on the court. As they are running out to the floor, the coach calls the player assigned to take the ball out and help get a victory, saying a third time, “Run the play!” Again, the player responds in the affirmative, “Yes, sir!” They run the play. This would be a perfect time for a cliff-hanger, but I won’t do you like that, my friend. The play worked, the team scored, and the team got the victory. The coach’s instructions, followed without any deviation, worked! That’s how it is in life, as a disciple of the Lord. Our coach is Jesus, and today, once more He is telling you with compassion, and complete patience, entrusting you to execute your role as a member of the team, Christ’s church, to be specific. He wants you to “Run the play,” lead the way in some regard, and help yourself and the team experience a win today!
Above, in the post-resurrection setting, Jesus, did not focus on Peter’s failure, denying Him three times, but figuratively He told Peter, “Run the play!” Guess what, my friend? He is saying the same thin to you! Don’t take things into your own hands. Don’t disregard His words on how to run the play in the critical times you will face today. Don’t mess up but keep looking up to Jesus and follow His play-calling, and “Run the Play!” Have a good day! Be blessed!
“And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Luke 9:35 NKJV)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King