GOATS and Superstars

 

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:2-8 ESV).

 

The Opening Ceremonies for the 2024 Paris Olympics is just days away. The pomp and pageantry will be entertaining. Seeing all the world’s best athletes in their fields of competition will be exciting as they compete to be the best. It is interesting that such a small thing as a medal could be so impactful. Yet we have come to believe that these individuals are the real celebrities of our day. The earn the monikers of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) at least until they are bested by someone else. They become somewhat of an idol.

 

We don’t talk about idols much these days. But when the Bible talks about idols, it usually means carved images that stood in for false gods. The Bible issues strong warnings about that sort of idol. On their own, idols are powerless. As Psalm 115 says, they may have eyes and ears and hands and feet, but they cannot see, hear, feel, or walk! Yet when people worship idols, they give power to them, destructive power. That’s why, for example, the Bible warns against greed. Greed makes an idol out of wealth. And when wealth is worshiped, it has the power to turn people into misers or mobsters or market frauds. False gods, and their images, are dangerous!

 

But then there is Jesus. Jesus is the image of God. That’s why he can say, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (cf. John 14:9). And that’s not about his eyes, ears, hands, or feet. It’s about power. Because when we see Jesus, we see the Father’s love. And there is power in that love. It’s the power that saves the world. It’s the power that makes us what we were always meant to be: not idols, but images of our heavenly Father. And, remember, that’s more about love than looks! He truly is the Greatest Of All Time!