SHEPHERD
TO SHEEP
THE
OLYMPICS
The
Olympic Games is a major international event in which thousands of athletes
participate in a variety of competitions from around 200 nations. The Games are
held every four years but since there are summer and winter Olympics you only
have to wait two years to enjoy them.
And how enjoyable they are! From
opening to closing ceremony there is the thrill of competition. The Games are also addicting. You tell yourself to not get so involved but
you can’t help it! You stay up late or
get up early because you are following a particular event or athlete. And all this goes on for about two and a half
weeks!
The
ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to
the 4th century AD. The games featured
running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin
throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration (a type of
martial art), and equestrian events. The
Olympic Games reached their height in the 6th and 5th centuries BC, but then
gradually suffered decline as the Romans gained power and influence in
Greece.
Greek
interest in reviving the Olympic Games began with the Greek War of Independence
in 1821 and the first modern Olympic games were then held in 1859 in an Athens
city square. Later the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) was formed and in 1896 the Games were held in
Athens. Later the Winter Olympics was
formed and then the Paralympics.
The
apostle Paul talked about sports in his writings. The Corinthians had their own Isthmian Games
named after the isthmus in Corinth which was southwest of the city of
Athens. The Isthmian Games were held
both the year before and the year after the Olympic Games. The winners received a wreath of celery and
later the changed to pine leaves. Victors could also be honored with a statue or
an ode.
(1
Cor 9:24-27) Do you not know that those
who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that
you may obtain it. {25} And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in
all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an
imperishable crown. {26} Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I
fight: not as one who beats the air. {27} But I discipline my body and bring it
into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become
disqualified.
Notice
how Paul compares the Christian life to a race and also to boxing. He said there is a reward ahead and we are to
be disciplined in our lives so that we may win that prize and not be
disqualified. There is no guarantee for
an Olympic athlete to win a gold, silver, or bronze medal. But a true disciple of Christ can be assured
that what lies ahead is worth the rigor of training through tribulation: (Mat 25:21)…‘Well done, good and faithful
servant…”
Louie
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