This is the last essay in a four-part on rivalries by former University of North Carolina wrestler, AIA staff person, and pastor, and is currently president of the Gospel Underground, Reid Monaghan. In each of these reflections, Monaghan wants us to consider the place of rivalry in our lives, examining them for both their positive and negative effects on our soul. 

1st post in the series: Sports, Rivalries, and Faith: The Best and Worst of Us Coming into Play

2nd post in the series: The Strengthening of Competition

3rd post in. the series: Worship and Rivalries: Our gods Will Fail Us

Rivalries have always been and will always be with us as human beings. Rivalries can bring out the best and the worst from us, and they remind us that even good and important things should not rise to the level of worship. 

But as the gridiron games begin and our passions are stirred toward victory, let’s consider another great victory that’s already taken place—indeed, the greatest and most important victory in the greatest rivalry of all time.

The human heart was made to worship and love with unreserved passion, but we need to aim it properly. What—or who—is truly worthy of our worship? What if there was one who defeated all rivals? What if there were one who conquered all of our enemies including the big rivals of sin and death? 

Would that be worthy of some celebration? An end zone dance of epic proportions? I say yes! 

Think about it. Jesus, the very creator God, entered into our world to defeat our sin and to defeat death itself. Listen to these words from Philippians 2 and 1 Corinthians 15 in the New Testament:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:1-11).

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:54-58).

It is fun to see your team win the big game. It’s amazing to score a winning touchdown in a crucial rivalry game. It might be talked about and remembered for years. 

Yet, you know what is greater? Victory over death. Jesus conquered this great rival and enemy of life and then did an end zone dance and talked junk to death! No amount of money, power, sex, possessions, or wins or losses on earth will ever compare. Jesus is worthy of our full love and worship as He simply has no rival of which to speak.

A few years ago I was speaking at a retreat in Massachusetts for some college students and we sang a song entitled What a Beautiful Name. The lyrics hit home with me for weeks. The bridge and final chorus in the song goes like this:

Death could not hold You

The veil tore before You

You silence the boast of sin and grave

The heavens are roaring

The praise of Your glory

For You are raised to life again

You have no rival

You have no equal

Now and forever God You reign

Yours is the kingdom

Yours is the glory

Yours is the Name above all names

What a powerful Name it is

What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a powerful Name it is

Nothing can stand against

What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

Enjoy the fight songs, the mascots, the school colors, the friendly smack talk and the games this week. But win or lose, keep one thing in the center and one thing in focus. Jesus Christ is Lord of it all to the glory of God the Father. His Kingdom is eternal and the heart can find a true home team in him. 

Reid Monaghan received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science with a minor in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC he also competed on the wrestling team for the then perennial ACC Champion and top ten Tarheels. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Apologetics, a multidisciplinary degree involving Philosophy, Biblical studies, and Theology. After college, he spent eight years serving alongside his wife Kasey on the college campus with the ministry of Athletes in Action. Along with a team of friends, Reid planted Jacob’s Well, a theologically driven, multiethnic, and culturally engaged church in Central New Jersey. He is a traveling speaker where he addresses students and athletes on various campuses throughout the United States.