I’m not sure in sports if there is a category for a “wannabe.” But I am a “wannabe” competitor. When I was younger, and a bit more coordinated, I tried my hand at certain athletic field events and failed miserably. So when I watch Olympic track and field events on television, I am firmly on the sideline, roots on those who can actually do this athletic stuff.
I had more than my share of opportunity to observe the Olympic pageantry and sporting competitions this year. With an elderly infirm relative at home, who only wants to watch television all day, the Olympic telecasts were a welcome break from old black-and-white television shows and commercials for Senior insurance. To me, the competitions are an amazing leveling Opportunity for competitors from across the globe to have a chance to compete on a truly equal playing field. Of course there are opening and closing ceremonies, pageantry of the various nations entering the games. And what would a closing ceremony be without Tom Cruise flying in?
We have seen our share of Olympic programs used for political purposes, like the 1968 raised fists Black Power salute; and the tragic taking of Israeli hostages and their massacre at the Munich Olympics of 1972. This year at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, one moment which immediately offended a large group of faith-oriented people was a 'grotesque mockery' (Penley, 2024) of an iconic painting by Leonardo da Vinci of "The Last Supper" by a group of drag queens presented during the opening ceremony. I guess I just cannot understand the need for people to flaunt their perversions in this setting, where unity through sports is the theme but divisiveness becomes the response. Of course, there were plenty of Christian organizations that thought it was important to voice their opinion and condemn these activities.
I am sure that my response is not in line with the standard claims of indignation and disgust. My first response would be, “so what do you expect from people who don’t know the Gospel?” Romans chapter 1 tells us clearly that due to the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, “they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools…” (Romans 1:21-22 ESV). This provocative effort was more than an act of artistic expression, which according to organizers, “had no intention of showing disrespect towards any religious group” (Harris, 2024). It was a blatant caricature of a revered religious symbol, showing little respect for those who hold these symbols in high regard.
But if I remember correctly, isn’t there a commandment that says we should worship God only and not symbols that represent Him (Exodus 20:4; see also Leviticus 26:1)? As the Bible says, “the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands;” and neither is He limited or restrained by an image painted to resemble His work on earth. None of the majestic cathedrals in Europe can contain His presence (Acts 17:24). No, we do not get extra grace if we adorn our homes with a famous da Vinci painting of the Last Supper. The painting represents the devotion and worship of our Great Redeemer by the artist, as a songwriter might pen an inspirational hymn or chorus of worship. The art is a means to an end, but not an end in itself. So should we still clamor to respond in some way to this kind of disrespectful mockery?
I wonder why there is any surprise at all over things that unbelievers do. How much more shocking was it that the religious leaders of the day crucified the Savior of the world (Mark 15:39)? Sacrilegious displays and the mocking of religious symbols are designed to distract us from the real work of the Gospel – proclaiming the life-giving message of salvation – and sharing this message with people who have contempt for the very things to which we hold dear. Jesus warned us about this; but also told us that we would be blessed if we did it anyway (Matthew 5:11). Our public outrage just encourages them to mock us even more, like teasing a child that you will give them candy if they behave; and then laughing at them as they whine about it.
The scripture says that “God will not be mocked” (Galatians 6:7). “Whatever a man sows he will reap.” On the contrary, we should be fasting and praying for people who do irreligious contemptible mocking things like this instead of filling the airwaves and websites with our verbal outrage. Believe it or not, pagans do not care what religious leaders think anyway (Harris, 2024). We should be asking God to forgive them, as Jesus did when He hung on the cross; because they truly don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).
While the organizers of the opening ceremony, “intent[ed] that the scene was supposed to depict a pagan feast linked to the gods of Olympus” (Harris, 2024), as if this would have been better than mocking a deeply symbolic religious icon, they simply do not realize with what they are playing. If you give a child a loaded gun, you can expect that something terrible might happen. While these artists are trying to use their talents to represent some lofty expression of our mutual heritage and the glory of competition, what they don’t realize is they are playing with a loaded gun and pointing it at themselves. Remember when Moses faced off against Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16)? Moses initially did not bother to contend with the rebel – he fell prostrate before the Lord and I believe pleaded instead for the rebel’s life (Numbers 16:4).
If Jesus went to the Olympics, what would He see? I don’t want to say that there is faux outrage over the mocking of this Last Supper painting. But if you are going to have outrage, don’t narrow it to this one occasion. Why not express outrage over athletes using Tinder to secure evening companionship (Steinberg, 2024)? Why not express outrage over men being qualified to compete in women’s sports (Whitlock, 2024)?
Why do we have this selective outrage? Why have any outrage at all? Why not just acknowledge that people are lost, and they need Jesus Christ. Those who die separated from the mercy of God and the redeeming sacrifice of Christ will suffer unimaginable pain and anguish for eternity. Those people mocking this Last Supper depiction are like Korah, and they do not understand what they are risking by not giving their hearts to Christ and mocking His name. Thank God that many missions organizations were positioned on the ground at the Olympics doing the hard work of evangelism to share the best news of salvation with all in attendance (IMB Staff, 2023).
There were also individual athletes who proclaimed the Gospel when given their opportunity. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone used her gold-medal winning performance to give glory to God, and did not care if by doing this she offended anyone (Golden, 2024). Another gold medalist, shot put specialist Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany, responded to a moderator’s question by breaking into a gospel song in praise of Jesus (Schwarz, 2024). I wonder how many people do you suppose were won to Christ by the outcry of religious organizations?
We need to pray for the mockers and for the ministers and for the grace of God to be evidenced in this season of possibilities. Here is a golden opportunity – not for medals that collect dust, or treasures on earth that rust (Matthew 6:19) but through these testimonies of God’s faithfulness and these mission efforts to access to people from around the globe and share this saving message with people from countries open and closed to the Gospel, places missionaries cannot reach. We need to put more effort into urgent prayer for many to hear and receive this life-giving message, and not in trying to think of ways to express our outrage at their ignorant behavior. Even “wannabe” athletes like me can handle that! “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Sources:
· Dell’orto, G. (2024, August 4). Olympic and faith leaders seek reset after opening ceremony outcry, while chaplains welcome athletes. Associated Press [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-religion-opening-ceremony-chaplains-b33b06ac2e501080575bd002f6a92c19.
· Golden, C.D. (2024, August 11). Gold Medalist Shares Prayer She Offers to God Before Every Single Race - She's the Real Deal. Western Journal [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.westernjournal.com/gold-medalist-shares-prayer-offers-god-every-single-race-real-deal/.
· Harris, R. (2024, August 7). Paris mayor launches attack on far-right, church over opening ceremony. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/sport/paris-mayor-launches-attack-on-far-right-church-over-opening-ceremony-20240807-p5k06x.html.
· IMB Staff (2023, August 30). Volunteers Still Needed for Paris Olympics. International Missions Board. Retrieved from https://www.imb.org/2023/08/30/volunteers-still-needed-for-paris-olympics/.
· Penley, T. (2024, July 30). Christian faith leaders react to alleged parody of Last Supper at Paris Olympics: 'Grotesque mockery.' Fox News. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/media/christians-react-apparent-mockery-last-supper-paris-olympics-grotesque-mockery.
· Schwarz, M. (2024, August 13). Gold Medalist Turns Olympic News Conference Into Worship Concert, Sings Powerful Praise to Jesus. Western Journal {Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.westernjournal.com/gold-medalist-turns-olympic-news-conference-worship-concert-sings-powerful-praise-jesus/.
· Steinberg, R. (2024, August 2). What Athletes Have Said About Hooking Up in the Olympic Village Through the Years. US Weekly. Retrieved from https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/what-athletes-have-said-about-hooking-up-in-the-olympic-village/.
· Whitlock, J. (2024, August 5). Imane Khelif’s ‘pursuit of happiness’ tramples biblical, historical truth. Blaze Media: Opinions & Analysis [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/imane-khelifs-pursuit-of-happiness-tramples-biblical-historical-truth.
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