‘The Sunday That Shocked the World’

John 2:19

“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (NLT)

When one thinks basketball, depending on your era, you associate the sport with a name. For some, you call out Michael Jordan and for others, Lebron James. The same goes for every sport in the game. But in a post-modern era, gold is linked to one name….Tiger Woods.

Tiger burst on the scene in 1997 by winning the Masters in Augusta in a landslide. He’s considered by many as the best golfer since Jack Nicklaus. At one point in his career, Tiger seemed untouchable and unstoppable.

Then….it happened. A public sex scandal, a public divorce, public mockery and shame all happened upon Tiger and all of his own doing. Then to pile on, he underwent several major back surgeries.

For 11 years, Tiger struggled through tournaments and even dropped out of a few. Journalists counted him out. People made jokes about him. People said his next press conference needs to be an announcement of retirement. They said it was over for Tiger. He was crucified and buried.

But on Sunday, Tiger Woods won the Masters for the first time since 2005. This was the Sunday that shocked the world! People had to eat their words and offer apologies.

And that reminded me, that as we are celebrating Holy Week, it was on a Sunday, over 2,000 years ago, that one greater than Tiger shocked the world! Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Son of God and Israel’s Messiah shocked the world. They crucified him, they buried him, but on a Sunday, he rose again!

No matter what has been said about you, no matter the mistakes you’ve made and no matter how dismal the outcome looks, it’s time for you to shock the world. He rose with all power and you will rise above it all! Now dust yourself off, shut down your pity party and shock the world!

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

“Dear Lord thank you for your Son Jesus Christ. He suffered for me, He died for me, He was buried for me, and He got up on a Sunday for me. I didn’t deserve it then, and don’t deserve it now, but I’m grateful. God, shock the world through me that you will get the glory! I’m available to be used by you.

In Jesus’ Name…Amen!”