"When you look at this, you see every play, every guy, what his responsibility is, and you make a value judgment. I'm not saying I'm always right, but you base it on what you see on the tape."
In other words, the film is Jaworski's best tool for evaluating quarterback play. It's better than on-the-spot gut reaction, because the film reveals things he misses with the naked eye. The film shows things that you just cannot pick up in the moment. Film highlights the things you are good at, and it exposes your flaws and mistakes. You cannot hide from the film.
The Bible often acts as film for us, as we'll see.
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Verse 16 links us to the story Jesus referred to in Numbers 21:4-9. For God loved the world like THAT, that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin. He then goes on to talk about why it is that some people do not believe in Him. Verse 19 and 20 are key.
(1) People love the darkness instead of the light. Human nature is such that we are sinful. We have a natural disposition towards selfishness, self-centeredness. We want what we want. In a very real way, this explains so much of what we see on television and read in the newspapers. You want to know why there's racism in the world? Sin. You want to know why people beat their children? Sin. You want to know why there is war? Sin. You want to know why there are so many people in jail? Sin. Our natural tendency is away from God and towards self-gratification, even at the expense of others.
(2) We don't want to come to the light for fear that our sin will be exposed. So here's what happens. There are people in the world that are total strangers. Then we meet them and they're acquaintances. Then maybe they become friends. Then perhaps best friends. At each of these levels, what happens in our relationship? We get to know each other better. As we get to know each other better, what is inside us comes out. People who know us better know our hearts better than those who we don't really know. The deeper the relationship, the more vulnerable we get with each other. That means the more our sin is exposed.
And here's the problem. We don't want our sin exposed. We know some of the things we have done in the past, we know some of the things we think in our minds, we know some of the things we desire in our hearts. And we know there is some real ugliness there. Some things that would totally embarrass us if it were known. And so some people, when faced with the prospect of a relationship with God, would prefer to shy away because they'd rather keep doing what they're doing, they'd rather their sin not be exposed, than to be vulnerable and real with their sin.
Here's the thing to remember: God knows our sin. He knows every hair on our head. He knows all our deeds. He knows what's inside our hearts. He knows every thought we have. He understands us better than we understand ourselves. And yet He loves us anyway. That's the amazing thing. In Romans 5:8, we read, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." We can draw near to Him with confidence, without fear.
Discussion
1. We aren't asking you to share any details, but have you ever done or thought anything that you wouldn't want to share with the group because it would be too embarrassing for you or bring you shame?
2. How does our view of God impact our willingness (or lack thereof) to draw near to Him?
3. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can understand it?" How does this speak to the human condition? Why should we pay attention to it?
4. Read Hebrews 4:12-13 - "12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." How does the Bible reveal what's inside us? How does it expose our sin?
5. What does it mean to you that God knows all your sin, and STILL loves you so much that He gave His life for you?
6. How should this give you confidence drawing closer to Him and to other Christians?
7. How can we make AIA a place where people can come and be authentic, without fear of being rejected because of things they may have done?
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