Who’s the greatest-ever No. 7?

Who’s the greatest-ever No. 7?

Who owns this uniform number? That’s the question Game On! is asking this month about uniform numbers that have been worn by hundreds of different players in the professional ranks. Who is the one athlete who stands out as the ultimate No. 3 or No. 7 or … cast your vote here.

For No. 7, you can vote for… John Elway, Phil Esposito, George Halas, Mickey Mantle or Michael Vick.

I’m guessing many voters will be heavily influenced by their own age. No doubt many young people under 20 might cast their vote for Michael Vick because they haven’t seen much game footage of John Elway or Mickey Mantle.

For me, I’m voting for “the Mick.” He was a powerful switch-hitting baseball player that was the favorite sports hero for nearly everyone who grew up between the years of 1951-68. Even with serious injuries throughout his career, he still managed to hit 536 home runs and lead the Yankees to seven World Series’. There was always an argument over who would get No. 7 on my sports teams.

Who’s the greatest-ever disciple of Jesus? Amazingly, this was the question Jesus’ own disciples debated. In Mark 9:33 when the disciples were traveling with Jesus, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

The disciples “kept silent” — probably from embarrassment, “for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest” (v.34). These were men who had been trained by Jesus himself who was the ultimate example of humility and servanthood.

Later in Mark 10, the brothers James and John approach Jesus apart from the other disciples to request that he place them in leadership above the other disciples. They were making their case to Jesus that they were the greatest-ever disciples and deserved to be famous.

Jesus knew the disciples hearts, just as he knows yours. He immediately corrected their selfish ambition: “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all’” (Mark 9:35).

Jesus is teaching the disciples along with us that greatness should be defined as serving others for the glory of God. In other words, he is reversing the human ideas of greatness and rank.

True greatness for the competitor is recognizing that Jesus is not only the best example of greatness but also the reason for us to follow His example.

He teaches in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.” He is teaching them that true greatness can’t be achieved by only following His example. It’s not even possible apart from the Savior’s sacrifice. Only Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for the sins of many. That’s what separates Him from any other sacrificial service that anyone could ever offer. All Christian service should reflect both the Savior’s example and remind us of His sacrifice.

Sports In Focus Principle: At the source of all Christian service is the crucified and risen Lord who died to liberate us into such service.

Huddle Talk

• Who’s the greatest-ever No. 4? What makes that player great?

• Discuss the difference between man’s way versus God’s way of defining greatness.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gordon Thiessen has served on staff with the Nebraska FCA since 1986 He has also founded Cross Training Publishing (www.crosstrainingpublishing.com). He has written Team Studies on Character and edited The Athletes Topical Bible. He is married to Terri and has four grown children.