FOR COACHES ONLY – THE KING
THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 2016

Pilate said, “So you are the king?”  Jesus responded, “You say I am a king.  Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth.  All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
– John 18:37

The man known as “The King” left us last week.  To the golf world, Arnold Palmer was bigger than life!  He burst into our living rooms with the birth of televised golf and thousands of adoring fans became part of “Arnie’s Army.”  Palmer not only was one of golf’s greatest players, he was one of the game’s greatest ambassadors.  He connected with the masses like no other by making himself assessable.  He inspired generations of players to love the game of golf.  He went on to win sixty-two titles on the PGA Tour and was also a successful businessman, philanthropist and golf course designer.  People loved Arnold Palmer and admired the hard-charging way he approached the game.  He was a risk taker.  He won big and lost big!  Palmer is quoted as saying, “the most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they can’t be done.”  What great wisdom he spoke.

Jesus was also a king.  Earthly kings of Jesus’ day often quizzed him on that title.  When Pontius Pilate asked Jesus if he was a king, his response was clear.  “My Kingdom is not of this world.”  There does not seem to be any doubt in Pilate’s mind that Jesus was speaking the truth.  It’s also doubtful that Pilate believed Jesus stood before him guilty of committing a crime.  Pilate however, like so many others, made a grave mistake.  While recognizing the truth, he chose to reject it.  To most, Jesus did not look like a king and he didn’t act like any king they had ever seen.  How could a man from Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, be the long-awaited Messiah?  For centuries, this man called Jesus has been doing what others said couldn’t be done.  He transforms lives; He softens hearts; He makes the impossible, possible.  When we turn our lives over to Him and become part of God’s Army, we will never be the same.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus.  Help me to do the impossible today through Your strength and promises.  Amen.