Going for Gold (Pack of 1000)

Text of the tract:

The modern Olympics have been going since 1896—much more than a century. That may seem a long time, but really it’s quite brief when compared with the ancient Olympics in Greece which lasted 1,170 years from 394BC to 776AD.

The ancient games took place every four years except when there was military conflict, just like the modern ones, which were cancelled in 1916, 1940 and 1944 because of the two world wars.
How many victors were crowned with a laurel wreath and hailed as champions in all the years of the ancient Olympics! Again, the modern Olympics are no different—there are thousands of gold, silver and bronze medals on offer.

But one of the ancient games—in 4BC—saw the birth of a man who never became an Olympic champion, yet His name and fame are better known today than those of the champion athletes of the time. He received a crown but not as a sign of honour, power and majesty. It was no laurel wreath but one made of thorns. It was given to Him in contempt by those who hated Him. Shortly afterwards they killed Him, glad to get rid of someone who had constantly pricked their consciences. But they had deceived themselves!

Who are we talking about? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, of course. On the third day after He was crucified, He rose from the dead and was seen by many of those who had followed Him in His life, much to the consternation of His enemies. He had won a victory far greater than any Olympic champion. He had overcome sin, death and the devil who had held the power of death over people until then. No other man (and no woman for that matter) has achieved anything comparable. He is the only One truly worthy of glory and honour. But do you see Him in this way?

When Jesus lived on earth, he never claimed glory for Himself. Today’s sports champions often run a lap of honour with their national flag draped round them, but His nation despised Him—indeed they put a mock robe on Him—even though He had come to ‘save His people from their sins’ (Matthew ch. 1 v. 21). But now He is in heaven God has ‘highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord’ (Philippians ch. 2 vs.9-11). These words mean that a day is coming when everyone who has ever lived will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

You can do it now—during your lifetime—by confessing your sins and trusting Jesus as your Saviour, or then—after your death—by compulsion, when He ‘will judge the world in righteousness’ (Acts ch. 17 v. 31). If you confess Him now, you will receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life; if not until then, you will suffer God’s righteous punishment for eternity (see John ch. 3 v. 36). When every knee bows and every tongue confesses Him, Jesus will be acclaimed with glory and honour beyond anything any other person has received, not even the greatest of sporting heroes. When that moment comes, will He be your Saviour or your judge?