As the Super Bowl rapidly approaches, all eyes turn to the game no one wants to play but everyone will watch because its the only game on: the Pro Bowl. It’s the opportunity to put the spotlight on some of the best on-field performers of the year. like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and…Phillip Rivers? really? Anyway, it’s always a fun, laid back game and serves as a nice stopgap to the big game the following week (set your DVR’s for the Superbowl. I said set your DVR’s…cause you’ll be busy worshiping God around kickoff).
The NFL isn’t the only one who pays homage to some of the best of the best. Toward the end of Hebrews, the writer offers a stirring tribute to several faithful men of God who, throughout history, held on to their faith despite all the obstacles they faced. Let’s take a moment to consider a few of them, and notice why they were selected to Heaven’s Pro Bowl team…
ABEL : PRO BOWL RECEIVER
Of course the second son of Adam and Eve belongs in the Pro Bowl. In his short time on earth he proved himself to be a legendary receiver. He received jealousy from his brother as the two offered worship to God but only the younger obeyed God’s Will. Abel of course also received a knife in the back from Cain. Don’t take thatliterally; certainly Cain killed his brother (Genesis 4:8), but the method of the murder is unknown. Still, Abel was on the receiving end of Cain’s murderous rage, but because of his faith in God, he is also on the receiving end of God’s eternal praise:
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:4
ABRAHAM : PRO BOWL RUNNING BACK
No question the father of the Hebrew people belongs in the spiritual Canton; he certainly had many pro-bowl years playing on God’s team. Here was the Lord’s great running back. And like any good runner, he always made positive yardage, never running backwards. No doubt there were may hard times when he might have wanted to, but…
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.Hebrews 11:15-16
MOSES : PRO BOWL QUARTERBACK
The first on-field leader of Israel’s team, Moses was a lock for the Pro Bowl as soon as God laid him to rest atop Mt. Nebo. Yes, sometimes he made a bad throw; famously he disobeyed God by striking the Rock of Christ (Numbers 20:12-12, 1 Corinthians 10:4), but if you want a leader who will march you down the field and to the endzone, Moses is your man…
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.Hebrews 11:24-29
ALL THE PROPHETS : PRO BOWL CORNERBACKS
It’s a hard, often thankless job being a prophet of God. Sometimes you are all alone out there and sometimes you get burned. But do your job well and you’ll be remembered forever. What follower of football doesn’t know the names Deion Sanders or Darell Revis? What student of the Bible can read the Old Testament and not be in awe of the faith and resilience of God’s inspired spokesmen…
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.Hebrews 11:36-38
Now don’t think that you are somehow less than any of these great men. These men are on Heaven’s Pro Bowl team because they, in their lives, faced with their circumstances chose to follow God instead taking the easy way out. You can do that too and like those men, be immortalized in Heaven as an at-rest child of God (Matthew 25:34).
Now go out there and have a day worthy of a spiritual Pro Bowl and future Hall of Fame spot!
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