I know what winning is. Winning is the act of achieving success in a competition or endeavor. It is when you have more points on the scoreboard. It is when you run faster or jump higher. Winning, to most of us, means coming out in front. Yet, to Jesus, winning means something different, something more.
When Jesus speaks about “winning,” he uses words, and phrases, and examples that are so contrary to what winning usually means. When Jesus speaks about winning he says things like, “the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16) and “who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:16). He says that we should take the lower place (Luke 14:8-10) and that we should be the servant of all (Matthew 20:26). This may cause us to think that Jesus doesn’t like winning. But that is not true!
Be assured, Jesus wants us to win. He believes in winning, but winning according to Jesus is not found in worldly success nor is it found on a scoreboard. Jesus redefines winning. Winning, Jesus teaches us, is found spiritual victory, focusing on Godliness, love, and eternal matters.
Jesus set the example of real winning by demonstrating victory over sin, death, and evil through his sacrificial love, humility, and obedience to God. During his 40-day fast in the wilderness, Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations. Winning! Instead of amassing power, Jesus’ example of victory involved humble service to others. Winning! He consistently prioritized meeting the needs of others over his own and demonstrated that true greatness is found in serving others. Winning! The climax of Jesus’s example of winning was his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Winning!
“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57
