The question has already been asked, perhaps a number of times! What lasting impact will these Olympics have upon this country? It is estimated that £9billion has been spent. What will we have to show for that investment in five or ten year’s time? After the games have finished some of the stadia will be knocked down. Other Olympic cities have seen their facilities lie empty, and, eventually, become derelict. Will that happen here?
Some are optimistic, particularly about the impact the games will have upon junior sport’s people. Others will speak of their memories of the games and some particular sporting moment that they witnessed. It is also worth considering what our handling of such a sporting spectacular has done for our standing in the world sporting community.
We have commented in this blog before about one person who has left His indelible mark on history in a way that no Olympian has ever done. He never won a gold medal at any athletics event. He never rose to fame in any sporting sense. He was never responsible for organizing a major world event involving so many nations and competitors. He was not a politician. He was not really a public figure, although thousands sought to see and hear Him. His name was Jesus Christ!
Since nearly 2000 years have passed since His death, why should He be remembered and worshipped by millions? The answer would fill more space that this simple blog allows! But let us mention just a few points for you think about: (1) He was brutally treated and yet never fought back or abused His detractors; (2) He asked God for the forgiveness of His persecutors; (3) Just prior to His death the sun was darkened for three hours; (4) He died for crimes He did not commit; (5) After three days He rose again from the dead, and is now in heaven.
The real significance of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ was that He gave His life in order to pay the penalty for our guilt and burden of sin against God – the things that we have done wrong in the sight of God. Here is a person, the Son of God, who can make a lasting impression upon your life. Here is someone who has left a legacy that will outlive any sporting triumph or event. What is your response to Christ?
