August 13th. That's a special day for me. Not only is it the start of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. It is also the 35th anniversary of the day our family changed its name from Smith to Asimakoupoulos. No kidding!
When my grandfather immigrated from Greece he wanted to become a full-fledged American. So he changed his name from Haralambos Asimakoupoulos to Harry Smith. Nonetheless, from the time I was a little kid my dad told my brother and me that our real name had a rich history. My dad was proud of his Greek ancestry. His office boasted Greek flags, statues and vases. There was generally Greek music playing in the background. Such pride could not be contained indefinitely. The summer before my senior year of high school my dad decided that we would legally change our name back to Asimakoupoulos. My mom and brother and I all agreed. On August 13, 1969 the sound of the judge's gavel made it official.
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After I graduated from college my dad and mom took my brother and me to Greece to see the small village where my grandfather had grown up. We also visited Athens where the ancient Olympics were held. It was inspiring to see the ruins and picture the athletes competing. We weren't alone. In addition to our family, there were countless others with Greek roots who were returning to the county of their ancestors to relive a glorious past.
As you might expect Greek Americans are following this year's Summer Olympics with great interest. After all, the ancient Olympic Games began in Greece. When the modern Olympics were revived in 1896, Athens was the obvious choice as the place to re-inaugurate the international competition of the world's greatest athletes.
In the first century when the apostle Paul wrote his letters (that eventually became part of our New Testament), the Olympic Games were a huge part of the culture. As a result he repeatedly chose athletic metaphors from the Olympics to explain how to live as a Christian. The greatest concentration of these references to athletics is in his two little letters to his young friend Timothy.
Since his father was a Greek and his mother was a Jew, it is possible Timothy's dad (like my dad) fueled an appreciation in his son for all things Grecian.
What we do know is that Paul recognized Timothy's knowledge of the Olympic Games and appealed to his interest in them as he challenged his young faith. For example, the older apostle compared the intense workouts of highly-disciplined Olympic competitors to what it takes to get in shape spiritually. Paul wanted Timothy to recognize that being physically fit is only part of what it means to be healthy. While disciplined exercise of your body is a good thing, it isn't the most important. Paul wrote "physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all thingss (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV)."
The kind of muscle-development Paul had in mind comes a few verses later when he encourages his young disciple not to be intimidated by those who are older. For Paul five muscle groups need to be toned through regular workouts. He wrote, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4: 12 NIV)."
Further Paul implies that being a Christian in a sinful world is hard. There are opponents and temptations to be battled on a daily basis. To that end the apostle challenges Timothy to think of the boxing events of the Olympics as he goes about his activities each day. "But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 611-12 NIV)."
In his second letter to his young Greek friend, Paul continues to appeal to Timothy's interest in the Olympic Games. He motivates Timothy strive to please God in his choices and attitudes as if the Christian life were a contest. He compares God's pleasure to the prize athletes received when they achieved their goal and crossed the finish line first. (In the first century it was a wreathed crown not a gold medal).
Then as now, the Olympic Games were governed by rules. If you violated the rules you were disqualified and disciplined. Young Christian men should also realize that following Jesus demands doing it his way. That's why Paul wrote, "Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victors crown, unless he competes according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5 NIV)." For the Christian, those rules are found in God's Word.
Finally, Paul makes one final reference to Olympic events of which Timothy was aware. Because the apostle is quite old, he knows he won't live very much longer. To illustrate the fact that that he is nearing the end of his life, Paul once again uses athletic language to get his point across. He wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4 7-8 NIV)." Paul wanted Timothy to clearly understand that one's life on earth doesn't go on indefinitely. Like ten rounds in a boxing ring or 26.2 miles of a marathon course, the time we have to make the most of our life is limited.
Paul had reached the end of his life without regrets. He wanted to the same to be true for Timothy. And perhaps viewing your walk with the Lord as a race to be run will cause you to be more intentional in how you go about it. As you watch the Olympics events on TV, think about what you need to do to get into shape spiritually.
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