God's Coaching #344

God's Coaching #344

Rules never seemed so exciting . . . or expensive. On this day in 2010, David Booth, a billionaire from Texas, purchased basketball’s original set of rules for $$43 million at an auction in New York City. The two-page, mostly typewritten document fetched the largest sum ever paid for sports memorabilia.

Dr. James Naismith, basketball’s inventor, wrote the “Founding Rules of Basketball” in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, so students at a local YMCA school could enjoy an indoor sport in the winter. He certainly never dreamed basketball would become as popular as it is today. All of the dunking, three-point shooting, high-flying excitement began because of a humble set of rules in 1891.

What’s the Score?

Let’s admit it: we don’t like rules. Oh sure, rules are good for keeping the peace in sports, traffic safety, and government. But honestly, nobody likes being told what to do. So it’s not surprising that many people stay away from the Pentateuch. The Penta-what? The Pentateuch is the old Greek name for the first five books of the Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Many Christians might read Genesis but then skip the last four because they contain seemingly outdated Jewish rules. How, we ask, are all these rules about eating, washing, religious festivals, offerings, and priestly duties relevant to us today?

Very much, actually. First, the Old Testament is just as much Holy Scripture as the New Testament. While we are not bound to certain Old Testament rules today (like priestly garments, animal sacrifices, etc.), plenty of the Pentateuch still applies—such as the Ten Commandments and the call to love God wholeheartedly. But most importantly, Old Testament law revealed to ancient Israel how desperately we fall short of God’s holy standard. As Romans 3:20 tells us, “Through the law we become conscious of our sin” (NIV). Old Testament law provides us a greater awareness of how rebellious we are and how merciful God is. God knew we couldn’t follow his law perfectly. So he provided a sinless Savior, his Son, Jesus Christ, to fulfill the law for us (Matthew 5:17). The entire Old Testament points to Jesus and his sacrificial death. Where the law failed, Christ succeeded!

On the Ball

To better understand how Old Testament law applies to us today, study Galatians 2–5 and Romans 2:12-16.

Coach’s Comment

No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:20 (NIV)