Jon Taylor teases out the parallels between the game and Christian faith
There is a remarkable tradition of Bible-believing Christians who are zealous for God, playing World Cup rugby.
Many originate from the Southern Hemisphere and Pacific Island nations. In previous years, the likes of Michael Jones and Va’aiga Tuigamala from the All Blacks set a great example in Christian conduct on and off the pitch, reminiscent of the timeless concept of ‘muscular Christianity’. Indeed Jones was the first man to score a World Cup try in their 70-6 victory over Italy.
Closer to home, Tuigamala joined Wigan and had a profound effect on the England winger Jason Robinson – he was instrumental in leading Robinson to the Lord. Following on from Jones, Scottish prop Euan Murray refused to play on Sundays and retired early the summer before the 2015 World Cup.
It would be worth keeping an eye on the Fijian side as we look forward to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. They meet to pray in sincerity, regardless of the result. They won the 2016 Olympic sevens. Michael Jones at one time coached the Samoan team who have a strong and clear witness and have a tradition of meeting regularly for services, including prayers and hymns. Spare a thought also for our own Billy Vunipola, whose injury ended his 2015 World Cup and who, despite further injuries, has found fine form again this year. But there are wider horizons and there is more to rugby and the Christian life.
Conversion
When the ball is kicked – depending on what angle you are viewing from, it’s not always easy to see whether it will sail cleanly through the posts, bounce off the upright and in, or veer to one side, falling short.
With genuine conversion there should be evidence of a noticeable difference in someone’s life because now they think and see things differently. Consequently a Christian will be less self-focussed and more God dependent. Their actions should be in accordance with their verbal proclamation of what it means to know Christ.
Penalties and the sin bin
A yellow-card offence results in 10 minutes in the sin bin. The word ‘sin’ comes from another sporting analogy – archery – meaning to ‘miss the mark’ and ‘fall short’, not even reaching the target, scoring no points, let alone the maximum 10 points for the centre of the gold ring. It’s a clumsy attempt, akin to the embarrassing ‘throwing a brick’ in basketball when a player attempts a shot and the ball hits the rim and bounces off.
The reality is ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23). A penalty could cost a match, but sinning before God is of greater consequences than 10 minutes in the sin bin. We need to acknowledge our sinfulness and we need a Saviour to deliver us from our sin because our efforts will always fall short of God’s standard. You cannot save yourself, only God can save you from the penalty of sin.
The scrum and going forwards
The object of the game is to go forwards at all times. Controlling the scrum will help to maintain possession and advance. Similarly, Paul wrote to the Philippians: ‘Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead (Philippians 3.13).
Christians engage in a spiritual battle, not a physical one, as we read in Ephesians 6.10-17. Paul’s military metaphor reminds us that Roman soldiers formed a tortoise formation and together they were able to withstand arrows, spears and attacks from great numbers that would have overwhelmed them otherwise. They wore the appropriate armour though they didn’t have anything to protect their rear. They didn’t look back, but stood together and advanced quickly, momentarily breaking rank for a fraction to stab with the short sword and then to stand.
Christians are armed with the whole armour of God to withstand the evil day by putting on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness and, as shoes for their feet, the readiness given by the gospel of peace … taking up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6.13-17).
The try
In rugby’s early days the rules were a little different and even a bit more brutal. Getting the ball beyond the goal line was seriously hard work – almost impossible! Having accomplished that, however, the player would then kick the ball back to another player who would ‘try’ to score a goal.
In contrast to other belief systems, Jesus dealt with the penalty of sin, instead of us trying to merit our salvation through our own efforts. It is not a case of trying to climb and scale an unending, unreachable, unattainable ladder to heaven, but recognising that the Lord Jesus became fully Man whilst fully God, arrived in a human body and suffered on the cross to reconcile man to God.
The referee and the TMO
Comments surrounding how rugby players listen and respect the referee are commonplace and it’s a good thing. Referees have authority. God has all authority and his word is authoritative too.
Opinion is divided concerning whether the Television Match Official (TMO) improves the game, though the intention is to make matches fairer and get the right result. Sometimes foul play is uncovered, and people are exposed for what they thought they could get away with. Ultimately, God sees everything and there will be a day of judgment. We will all die, and it is has been appointed for all men to die once and then a day of judgment (Hebrews 9.27).
The tunnel
At the conclusion of a match it is traditional for the losers to applaud the victors by making a narrow tunnel. Jesus was very clear about how someone can be saved. It must be through him and no one-else. ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14.6). We must speak the truth in love and not water down the gospel since there is no other name under heaven by which men may be saved (Acts 4.12).
Union
Rugby Union is a smashing game and, like many sports, probably a bit more than just a game. Through healthy discipline and a degree of hardship, friendships quickly arise with teammates. A Christian has a bond of fellowship with other believers. They have the Holy Spirit residing in them and they no longer belong to themselves, since they have been bought with a price. They belong to God and are united with Christ.
They will have new desires and aspirations and an eternal perspective. They will have great love and affection for believers and will want to see more added to their number. They will try to avoid sinning, since they will not want to grieve the God with whom they are united. They have a sure and steadfast hope, not in themselves, nor those closest to them, but in the Author and Finisher of their faith.
