Ego Free Living
By Pastor Troy
This week someone sent me an incredible video that illustrates the essence of the sermon for this week. Our text is found in John 13:1-17 and it is the story about Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. The sermon title is “Sustaining an environment for ego free living.”
The video I have referenced is about a basketball team from Grace Athena High School in Rochester, New York. Jason McElway is the manager and he is autistic. One word used to describe him is ENTHUSIASTIC. In fact his dad said that one thing he worried about was that Jason would be too enthusiastic and earn the team a technical. While most of the boys on the team spent time running, shooting and practicing plays, Jason kept himself busy fetching water and towling sweat.
For the last game of the season the coach decided to let Jason suit up….not to play, but just to experience what is was like to be one of the team. With four minutes to go in the game, the coach decided to let him play.
Jason McElway, #52 was going into the game. His teammates and the fans went wild. As soon as he touched the ball he threw up a 20 foot prayer that wasn’t even close. He missed his next shot as well…..then his fortune (God’s sovereignty :)) changed. He swished a three pointer from the side of the arc and then in the final minutes threw up a total of six three pointers that were all good. Jason McElway scored a total of 20 points by the time the buzzer sounded and the stands emptied out on to the court. I am certain that no one present in the gym will ever forget the day that Jason McElway, the team manager was the hero.
As I think through this story I am moved by the fact that if Jason had been the star player, people would have been excited, however this would not have created the mayhem in the Greece Athena gym that night. WHY? Everyone loved Jason because he was a servant. He was used to living an ego free life. People wanted to see him shine, not because he had made any huge promises of scoring lots of points but because he fetched water and toweled sweat.
Jesus makes it clear that no servant is above his master. As the supreme master, Jesus washed dirty feet. Just remember we are not above our master. Not one of us is too good to serve. And by the way, if you would like to watch the video of Jason, click here.
This week someone sent me an incredible video that illustrates the essence of the sermon for this week. Our text is found in John 13:1-17 and it is the story about Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. The sermon title is “Sustaining an environment for ego free living.”
The video I have referenced is about a basketball team from Grace Athena High School in Rochester, New York. Jason McElway is the manager and he is autistic. One word used to describe him is ENTHUSIASTIC. In fact his dad said that one thing he worried about was that Jason would be too enthusiastic and earn the team a technical. While most of the boys on the team spent time running, shooting and practicing plays, Jason kept himself busy fetching water and towling sweat.
For the last game of the season the coach decided to let Jason suit up….not to play, but just to experience what is was like to be one of the team. With four minutes to go in the game, the coach decided to let him play.
Jason McElway, #52 was going into the game. His teammates and the fans went wild. As soon as he touched the ball he threw up a 20 foot prayer that wasn’t even close. He missed his next shot as well…..then his fortune (God’s sovereignty :)) changed. He swished a three pointer from the side of the arc and then in the final minutes threw up a total of six three pointers that were all good. Jason McElway scored a total of 20 points by the time the buzzer sounded and the stands emptied out on to the court. I am certain that no one present in the gym will ever forget the day that Jason McElway, the team manager was the hero.
As I think through this story I am moved by the fact that if Jason had been the star player, people would have been excited, however this would not have created the mayhem in the Greece Athena gym that night. WHY? Everyone loved Jason because he was a servant. He was used to living an ego free life. People wanted to see him shine, not because he had made any huge promises of scoring lots of points but because he fetched water and toweled sweat.
Jesus makes it clear that no servant is above his master. As the supreme master, Jesus washed dirty feet. Just remember we are not above our master. Not one of us is too good to serve. And by the way, if you would like to watch the video of Jason, click here.
posted by Admin at
9:33 PM
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