March Madness
Remember the days of March Madness? Offices and businesses everywhere had a master bracket while its employees picked winners in each bracket of 68 teams all the way down to the NCAA Final. Sometimes the Jacks would even be in the tourney. What about the madness of the state basketball playoffs? There is just something exciting about the one and done nature of the basketball playoffs. And we must not forget the annual March blizzard mixed in to challenge people in their travels. Who would think that something with the name “madness” could be so exciting?
This year the madness will be much more subdued in that the fans will be limited in number or limited to watching the games entirely on their televisions. The excitement created from full gymnasiums kind of stifles the spirit. It’s just not the same. Can it even be called madness?
What is it really that makes March so exciting? I believe it’s the passion of young men and women fighting to push past their limits while training their minds and bodies to be able to compete at a high level over the course of several weeks. It’s the competitive nature of multiple teams competing for the prize. It’s also the passion of each team’s fans and those who love the game. Passion is the inspiration.
Most people, especially the young generation, are passionate about doing something life-changing. Jesus has always been passionate about changing lives. It’s why He left the throne of heaven to take on flesh. It’s why he went to the cross to take on sin. It’s why He chose to pay our death penalty. It’s why He arose from the dead and ascended into heaven having fulfilled God’s Law of justice and having defeated that which ruins us. It’s why He offers us eternal life just for believing in Him and what He’s done.
Mark 1:16-18 (CSB) say, “As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
Just like the student athletes in the tournament are sold out for basketball, Simon and Andrew were sold out for being fishermen. That was their passion, probably what they worked the hardest at. One interaction with Jesus moved them to give up everything they had. Why? He was calling them to a bigger passion; a greater purpose. They went from simply fishing to changing lives.
Jesus also called Saul (who became the Apostle Paul) to such a high calling that it eclipsed being among the highest, most favored of Jews. “I am sending you to [the Gentiles] 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18 – CSB).
God’s passion is opening people’s eyes so they can know how to have a real relationship with Him. That’s a madness that transcends any basketball tournament. It’s an excitement that lasts for eternity. I’ve heard it said that they only two things on earth that will last forever are God’s Word and the human soul.
Are you willing to join in God’s madness of changing lives?
What people has God put into your life?
How does the passion for changed lives overwhelm your soul?
The Jewish leadership clearly saw the answer to this last question in Peter and John as they talked about Jesus. Acts 4:13 (CSB) says, “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” This is where the excitement really begins.
With Him,
Pastor Tim