The world loves winners and champions. It’s that time of year when baseball championships are played out, followed by football, and then other sports in the spring. Players want their big rings, noisy parades and inflated reputations.

Even in the world of politics we hope for great leaders. Canada needs strong people right now who will champion our identity, economy and well-being. When weak leaders fail to stand up for us, they end up in the dustbin of history. Champions are long remembered.

The New Testament book of Hebrews presents Jesus as “the author of our salvation” (2:10). It’s a peculiar Greek word that means “leader” or “forerunner” (6:20). He’s described as the only one who can lead us to victory. In that sense He is our champion. He leads us to great spiritual triumphs, and ultimately into heaven.

In the book of Revelation, John gives us a description of the first vision of the book. Jesus is pictured as an exalted priest, pure, all-knowing, and powerful (1:12-20). He is glorious and the winner of a great victory – He beat death by rising again. In his hand he held seven stars which are protective angels who watch out for each congregation of His church. Here is our champion. He will protect, lead and help us for the rest of our lives. While John was told to write down the rest of the visions of the book, the story has already been told in the first chapter – Jesus will lead His people through whatever the world throws at us.

What battles will you fight this week? What temptations must you defeat? What courage will be required of you? Fall in line behind our champion and He will help you win victories.

– Tim Johnson