What Kind of Athlete Would Jesus Be?
What kind of athlete would Jesus be? I’ve participated in thought exercises like this before and my opinion has changed over the years. Would Jesus be a starter or come off the bench? Would he be highly skilled or a grinder-type athlete? Would he be the hardest-working athlete on the team or would he stand out in ways other than a great work ethic? Would he stand out at all? At our Ultimate Training Camps through Athletes in Action, we often say something along the lines of “Jesus would be the hardest-working athlete on the planet.” I don’t know if that is true or not, but the heart behind statements like that is a belief that Jesus would give his best in everything he did.
It’s fun to theorize and postulate what an “athletic Jesus” would look like. But what’s often missing from this discussion is a guiding question that often shaped the actions of Jesus. The question we need to ask is: What kind of people Jesus would hang around if he were an athlete? How we answer this primary question will help us better answer any secondary questions as it relates to Jesus and sports.
Who would Jesus hang out with in a sports context? We can start by seeing who he spent time with in the Gospels.
Let’s start with the disciples. They were individually recruited by Jesus to be his followers (Luke 5:1-11). They came from different backgrounds, including fishermen and tax collectors (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 10:3). What they did have in common is that until Jesus chose them, none of them were following another rabbi. We’re left to assume that they were not asked (or even considered) because they were not good enough. Being asked to follow a rabbi was a big deal and highly honorable. Jesus chose to spend the bulk of his time with individuals who were overlooked by other rabbis. He chose to spend massive amounts of his time with the unchosen.
And this wasn’t just limited to the disciples.
In a culture that placed a low value on the dignity of women, Jesus intentionally spent time with them. He made time to engage in conversation with the woman at the well (John 4:1-42). Alongside the disciples, several women traveled with Jesus: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and “many others” (Luke 8:1-3). After his resurrection, he chose a team of women to be the first to see him and proclaim the news of his resurrection to everyone else (Matthew 28:1-9).
Like women, children often took a backseat to adults—especially adult men. At one point in Mark 10, the disciples were actively trying to prevent children from coming up to Jesus. But Jesus wouldn't have any of that. He encouraged his disciples to “Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14).
Jesus spent time with the hungry. Jesus spent time with the sick. Jesus spent time with the poor. Jesus spent time with the demon-possessed. Jesus spent time with lonely, overlooked, broken, and desperate people.
Author and speaker Bob Goff has strong opinions about the overlooked and the undervalued:
“God never sits at the popular kids’ table. He loves them, but he’s always with the forgotten, the ones that are estranged, the ones that are lonely. If following Jesus doesn’t lead you to hungry people, thirsty people, sick people, strange people, naked people, people in jail, people who are awkward, and people who are as insecure as me, then you are not following Jesus. You are trying to be popular.”
Yikes.
Let’s get back to our guiding question: who would Jesus hang out with in a sports context?
Jesus the Benchwarmer
I think Jesus would be hanging at the end of the bench.
In sports, the bench is never something you choose. It’s chosen for you by your coach. The bench is for those who, at the moment, are not good enough to compete with the rest of the team. The bench often represents the overlooked, undervalued, and discouraged.
Let’s add a disclaimer here. I am not saying athletes in the 21st century who are not getting playing time compare in any way to those in the 1st century who were labeled as outcasts in their society. What I am saying is that Jesus is often drawn to those who are most neglected.
Are benched athletes the most neglected in our society? Absolutely not. But within the context of team sports (which is what we are talking about), benched athletes categorically fit the individuals that Jesus hangs around. In the Gospels, Jesus is constantly hanging around the lowly, the down and out, the marginalized, and the unpopular crowd.
So, yes, I think Jesus would ride the pine. But more than that, I think he would choose it.
What does this mean for the rest of us?
For the Starters
The point of this Biblically-driven thought experiment is not to tell you that Jesus doesn’t want to hang out with you. It’s not meant to say that Jesus is absent from you or even diminish your role that involves significant playing time. The point is this: if Jesus chooses to see and engage with those who are often overlooked and forgotten, you should too.
Let’s extend our understanding of “the bench” to include those who are injured, redshirting, not on the travel squad, and the JV squad. One of the worst parts of getting injured is the separation from the rest of the team. While the team is out practicing, injured athletes are in the training room and rehabbing. Those who don’t travel miss out on the inside jokes and the memories that are made while the starters are on the road.
You need to be aware of this and actively find ways to engage with some of them (you don’t need to spend time with all of them). What does it look like for you to show dignity to people in those groups? Text them daily, individually. Tag them in a group text and ask for an update on how things are going. Eat. Food. With. Them. Jesus is always eating with people. Inviting people over (or inviting yourself over) is such a "Jesus way" of showing love and dignity to people.
Starters, keep playing to the best of your abilities. But make time for the teammates on the bench. In doing so, your teammates will experience Jesus through you.
For the Benchwarmers
Jesus sees you
He knows what it is like to be celebrated one moment and forgotten the next. He knows what it is like to have a community of friends one day and in a matter of hours, have that community continue on without you. Jesus is close to you as you navigate this season of life. He is fully present with you as you watch your teammates from the sidelines.
2. You need community
One of the weird blessings of being “benched” is that it puts you next to others who are in a similar spot. I remember meeting all kinds of new people in the training room when I was injured. But that requires intentionality. Take the headphones off and talk to people. You may be surprised how Jesus works through other people to meet your relational needs. And it goes both ways as you have the opportunity to embody the kindness of Jesus to those around you.
3. Resist the urge to transfer right away
God may have something for you in this season of waiting that involves something better than splinters in your rear end. Don’t hit the eject button just yet. There could be a variety of reasons you are not playing, but I want to implore you to look for purpose in this difficult season that transcends the playing field. God has you in this spot—don’t waste it.
Look for ways to affirm your teammates who are in front of you in the pecking order for playing time—and directly behind you. Be the loudest and most encouraging voice they hear every single day. The growth you will experience from becoming a varsity-level advocate for your teammates will far surpass the benefits of transferring.
And who knows your coach may even notice and reward you for it
If you’re still thinking about transferring, maybe check out my article on 10 questions you should ask before transferring.
