A phenomenon emerged in professional sports, particularly the NBA, in the past fifteen years called the super team. It takes three great players to qualify a team as a super team. Lebron, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh formed one in Miami, followed by the teaming up of Lebron, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in Cleveland. Then, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, with Draymond Green added for good measure, gathered for Golden State.
In reality, the super team had been around for generations. There was Michael, Scottie and Rodman with the Bulls. Before that, it was Magic, Kareem and Worthy for the Lakers; the big three in Boston were Bird, McHale and Parrish; in Detroit, Isaiah, Dumars and Laimbeer won championships.
There actually have always been super teams. Russell, Cousy and Havlicek dominated the sixties; Wilt, Jerry and Elgin emerged in the seventies. The difference, and what brought about the super team moniker, is that the teams in the past few years were orchestrated by the players, themselves, whereas, franchise executives masterminded them in previous decades. But managerial personnel have long felt a team needed three strong players to contend for a title.
Far more important than professional sports are the souls of people. To overcome sin and Satan and gain eternal life, God knew each person needed a super team. The difference from the pro sports super teams is that, for us, it only takes two. One of the two is an individual believer, and the other is Jesus.
Paul wrote that he could do all things through Christ. The angel told Mary that nothing would be impossible, even this miraculous virgin-birth prophecy, with God. In Romans we’re called hyper-champions – translated, more than conquerors – through Him who loves us. Isaiah wrote that no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
Scripture makes it clear that, as a super team (the individual and Jesus), we’re invincible. I don’t know of a sports team that could be considered undefeatable. In my opinion, the 1992 Dream Team would come closest. But our utterly victorious future is ironclad guaranteed in Christ.
One thing has always bothered me about the super teams. The other members of the teams are undervalued and de-emphasized. Those other players are essential but are overlooked as fans and commentators focus on the big three. There’s a similarity with the Jesus & you and Jesus & me super teams. The community of believers each of us has is vital for our success and should not be overlooked.
So, thanks to Jesus, and to my community of fellow believers for allowing me to be a part of the best kind of super team! Wouldn’t you say the same to your team?
