“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” — Matthew 5:1-2
“My best skill was that I was able to be coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.” — Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan is considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was not only one of the most talented players ever, but arguably had one of the greatest mindsets and motors in sports history. Jordan was always striving to be the very best, and would utilize every resource possible to do so.
For the majority of his career, he was coached by Phil Jackson, one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Jordan’s ability to trust Coach Jackson, to listen and respond to his coaching, is what Jordan accredited to his success. He took the criticism and critiques Coach Jackson offered him and became the greatest of all time.
In the same way that Jordan had Phil Jackson, we also have a coach for our life. The teachings of Jesus make up the greatest playbook in the world. He outlines in the Bible exactly what is required for us as His followers.
One of the best places He did this was the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5-7. Jesus opens with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12, which can be described as a map of where to look for Jesus. The traits described in these verses are what Jesus wants His followers to display in the world, so that the world would see and recognize Jesus through them. He then dives into heavy topics that we see in life, like the law, murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, enemies, giving, prayer, fasting, Heaven, worry, judging and more.
It is the template for how we should live as Christians and followers of Jesus. Open your ears so that you can hear the instructions of our Heavenly King, and allow yourself to be coachable. For further reading, dive into Matthew 5-7 and ask God to speak to you through His Word.
— Nik Pry
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