Celebrating the World Cup in style | City Bible Forum
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Celebrating the World Cup in style

One way to celebrate the World Cup in style this Easter
Tue 31 Mar 2015
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It was a weekend of celebrations! Predictions were cast, expectations heightened, FB updates flowed thick and fast, sms-es were traded like stocks as our player’s fortunes plummeted and rose (and no, in case you were wondering, I’m not talking about NSW Decides or whatever was on the ABC)… of course, I’m talking about the cricket!

What a game! What a run-out! What a ball!

For my friends who still don’t know what an LBW is (and yes, I know you do exist), they often ask why the fuss? They point out it is just a game. You know, watching every ball doesn’t change the outcome. Why be so invested in it? And, to be honest, as the glow of victory inevitably fades, one wonders why the fuss? Why get all worked up about another person’s victory?

And yet, let me suggest to you that there is something profoundly right about this and the justification can be found in the (coincidental?) timing of the World Cup final.

Just one weekend after the final – this weekend – millions around the world will celebrate the victory of another. In fact, while FB updates will flow and invitations to share in food and wine extended, this weekend’s victory trumps even the World cup – in Australia, it's celebrated with a public holiday for all!

For many, one of the difficult concepts of Christianity is how events surrounding the person Jesus Christ could somehow connect, affect and change people’s futures, their lives today and even their past. When put that way – it does sounds like a stretch. To be sure, some will rightly question how confident we can be that Jesus did die and did come back to life – I and others are more than happy to sit down and investigate these historical questions – but that someone else’s victory can affect me so much seems surprisingly natural. Indeed, the greater the victory, the greater the celebration and the greater the impact, right?

Is it possible that Jesus’ victory over death offers even life after death thus irreversibly changing my future? Is it possible that Jesus’ victory paves way for God to hear my prayers today? Is it possible that Jesus’ victory allows me to say sorry for past regrets, harm and hurt – to be forgiven?

I expect there will be various news pieces questioning again the relevance of “a religious” or “traditional” Easter to the average punter and yet, as the average punter celebrates the World Cup, I suspect celebrating this Easter is not as far off as some first thought.

Celebrate the World Cup in style and let your celebrations flow over to Easter as we all celebrate another’s victory.

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