Anyone who is alive today knows who Michael Jordan is. He is globally known as the greatest basketball player to have ever played. His drive and competitiveness has never been matched nor will it ever be. He attained records, achievements, championships, and rewards and adulation in an uninterrupted string of heavy popularity. The man is the epitome of what basketball excellence is measured.
Michael Jordan single handedly was responsible for an economic boom that experts calculated was worth billions to the city of Chicago. He was the most successfully marketed athlete in history, which some claim he still is even though retired for many years now. When people from Chicago would go overseas, foreigners would respond, "Michael Jordan! Michael Jordan!" He came from a good Christian home where the family was devoted to God and church. So what would Jesus say to Michael Jordan?
Two headline grabbing events:
1.) Gambling. Over the course of his career playing basketball there were embarrassing allegations of his gambling habits. Some were not just allegations but habits that were proven to be true. He loves to wager on anything he considers to be competition and does so admittingly. It has been proven that Michael lost 1.2 million dollars to a golf partner. There was also a 57,000 dollar check from Jordan in the bank account of a convicted felon, which he lied about but eventually told the truth under oath in court. The check was from a golf debt. There were many other instances where Michael's gambling were cause for concern. It is uncertain what is so alluring to Michael Jordan when it comes to gambling. He loves to compete. Gambling experts say that its the action, the excitement, the risk taking and competitiveness that drives gamblers. And there is no doubt that competition drives Mr. Jordan.
Jesus might say, "Michael, I want to protect you from having your healthy competitiveness become an unhealthy compulsion. I will help you, if you let me, to peer inside of yourself and get to the root of whats driving you toward the edge."
Proverbs 20:21 "An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed." Michael Jordan got a life changing amount of money signing with the Chicago Bulls. When we receive too much too soon, it sometimes isn't helpful for us.
Jesus might say, "Michael, how much of your resources have you let slip due to your gambling? How much more could you have gave to those less fortunate?"
Ecclesiastes 5:10 "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity." Some people never say, "I have enough."
Jesus may also help Michael to be aware that whether its a little or alot, it belongs to Him. He made it possible to enable him to earn it. Jesus may help Michael understand a new perspective, that when he blesses the poor with his resources and time, Michael is actually giving back to God Himself!
2.) Death of his father. Before every Chicago game, Michael Jordan would make sure that his parents arrived safely. He did this so, during a game he wouldn't worry and be at peace so that he could perform at his highest level. His dad was more than a father. He was a best friend, a confidante, and a coach. Michael Jordan was once quoted, "knowing my father was in the stands, I knew I had at least one fan." A senseless act of violence ended his father's life in August of 1993. James Jordan was the victim of a robbery and was shot in the chest. This shocked the country. It was shocking because it showed us anyone can be exposed in a fallen world. The world's sin is pervasive. Jesus made this clear when He said, "In the world you have tribulation."
Michael was faced with the kind of pain that no human can relieve. Jesus may remind Michael of what He said in the bible. Jesus may say, "in me ye might have peace. In the world you have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Jesus may also remind Michael that he can find peace and courage through Him. Jesus might say, "My child, call out to me. I have the power and the love you need to get through your suffering."
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Human anguish of those who have passed away will be comforted by the compassion of Christ.
Michael Jordan stated that after the loss of his father, that his mind was often dominated of thoughts on him. His heart was broken. The wounds from such a loss takes a long time to heal and if we reflect on God's Word, it can bring comfort and peace to help alleviate the pain.
Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a crushed spirit." A reminder that God is always with us, especially with the brokenhearted.
Michael Jordan has since retired. His legacy in the sport of basketball will never be matched. What would Jesus say about his legacy outside of basketball? Jesus might say, "Michael, don't just go down in history as the greatest basketball player. It is something to be proud of, but there is more for you to do. You are a role model for millions of people, young and old. The hope for you is that you are remembered as a Christian man who drew upon the courage and peace of God to cope with the tragedy that came upon your father. History should record you as a Christian man who honored your Heavenly Father who blessed you with a gift, and out of gratitude for that gift you lavished your resources to ease the pain of the needy and to point people toward Me. I want you to experience the rest of your life My economy and how it works. The more you give to those in need, the more you sacrifice out of what I have given you, the more satisfaction I will flow into your soul."
What would Jesus say about our legacy?
Michael Jordan single handedly was responsible for an economic boom that experts calculated was worth billions to the city of Chicago. He was the most successfully marketed athlete in history, which some claim he still is even though retired for many years now. When people from Chicago would go overseas, foreigners would respond, "Michael Jordan! Michael Jordan!" He came from a good Christian home where the family was devoted to God and church. So what would Jesus say to Michael Jordan?
Two headline grabbing events:
1.) Gambling. Over the course of his career playing basketball there were embarrassing allegations of his gambling habits. Some were not just allegations but habits that were proven to be true. He loves to wager on anything he considers to be competition and does so admittingly. It has been proven that Michael lost 1.2 million dollars to a golf partner. There was also a 57,000 dollar check from Jordan in the bank account of a convicted felon, which he lied about but eventually told the truth under oath in court. The check was from a golf debt. There were many other instances where Michael's gambling were cause for concern. It is uncertain what is so alluring to Michael Jordan when it comes to gambling. He loves to compete. Gambling experts say that its the action, the excitement, the risk taking and competitiveness that drives gamblers. And there is no doubt that competition drives Mr. Jordan.
Jesus might say, "Michael, I want to protect you from having your healthy competitiveness become an unhealthy compulsion. I will help you, if you let me, to peer inside of yourself and get to the root of whats driving you toward the edge."
Proverbs 20:21 "An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed." Michael Jordan got a life changing amount of money signing with the Chicago Bulls. When we receive too much too soon, it sometimes isn't helpful for us.
Jesus might say, "Michael, how much of your resources have you let slip due to your gambling? How much more could you have gave to those less fortunate?"
Ecclesiastes 5:10 "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity." Some people never say, "I have enough."
Jesus may also help Michael to be aware that whether its a little or alot, it belongs to Him. He made it possible to enable him to earn it. Jesus may help Michael understand a new perspective, that when he blesses the poor with his resources and time, Michael is actually giving back to God Himself!
2.) Death of his father. Before every Chicago game, Michael Jordan would make sure that his parents arrived safely. He did this so, during a game he wouldn't worry and be at peace so that he could perform at his highest level. His dad was more than a father. He was a best friend, a confidante, and a coach. Michael Jordan was once quoted, "knowing my father was in the stands, I knew I had at least one fan." A senseless act of violence ended his father's life in August of 1993. James Jordan was the victim of a robbery and was shot in the chest. This shocked the country. It was shocking because it showed us anyone can be exposed in a fallen world. The world's sin is pervasive. Jesus made this clear when He said, "In the world you have tribulation."
Michael was faced with the kind of pain that no human can relieve. Jesus may remind Michael of what He said in the bible. Jesus may say, "in me ye might have peace. In the world you have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Jesus may also remind Michael that he can find peace and courage through Him. Jesus might say, "My child, call out to me. I have the power and the love you need to get through your suffering."
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Human anguish of those who have passed away will be comforted by the compassion of Christ.
Michael Jordan stated that after the loss of his father, that his mind was often dominated of thoughts on him. His heart was broken. The wounds from such a loss takes a long time to heal and if we reflect on God's Word, it can bring comfort and peace to help alleviate the pain.
Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a crushed spirit." A reminder that God is always with us, especially with the brokenhearted.
Michael Jordan has since retired. His legacy in the sport of basketball will never be matched. What would Jesus say about his legacy outside of basketball? Jesus might say, "Michael, don't just go down in history as the greatest basketball player. It is something to be proud of, but there is more for you to do. You are a role model for millions of people, young and old. The hope for you is that you are remembered as a Christian man who drew upon the courage and peace of God to cope with the tragedy that came upon your father. History should record you as a Christian man who honored your Heavenly Father who blessed you with a gift, and out of gratitude for that gift you lavished your resources to ease the pain of the needy and to point people toward Me. I want you to experience the rest of your life My economy and how it works. The more you give to those in need, the more you sacrifice out of what I have given you, the more satisfaction I will flow into your soul."
What would Jesus say about our legacy?
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