The Joy the Journey: Our True Champion

The Joy the Journey

Our True Champion

Over the past few days, I’ve been watching moments from the 2026 Winter Olympics, and like many people, I’ve been inspired. Athletes from nations all over the world have trained for years for a single opportunity—to compete, to overcome, and perhaps to stand on the podium as a champion. Nearly 3,000 athletes from dozens of countries have gathered for these games, each carrying a story of sacrifice, discipline, and determination.  

There is something powerful about watching a champion emerge. We admire the skier who risks everything for a few seconds of speed, the skater who rises after years of setbacks, and the team that refuses to give up until the final moment. We are all captivated by curling; I still haven’t figured out why, but boy, do I love watching it.  Champions inspire us because they remind us that victory is possible.

But while watching these athletes, I couldn’t help but think about a greater champion—the one who fought a battle none of us could win.  His name is Jesus!

The world celebrates champions who win medals, but the Bible tells the story of a champion who won something far greater than gold. Humanity’s greatest problem was never a lack of strength or talent; it was sin. Scripture says in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No amount of effort, discipline, or human achievement could fix what was broken between God and us.  So God sent a champion.

Jesus stepped into the arena of human life and faced everything that defeats us—temptation, suffering, injustice, and death. Yet unlike every person before Him, He did not fail. Hebrews 4:15  reminds us that He was “tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Every step of His life was a victory of obedience.  Still, His greatest battle was ahead.

If you had stood near the cross on the day Jesus was crucified, it would have looked like defeat. The crowd mocked. The soldiers gambled for His clothing. His followers watched in heartbreak. But what looked like a loss was actually the moment of victory.

Colossians 2:14–15 tells us that at the cross God canceled the record of debt that stood against us and “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” The cross was not the end of our champion; it was the turning point of history.

Three days later, the resurrection proved the victory was complete.  Paul writes, “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”   “O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54–57. No Olympic medal, no trophy, and no earthly accomplishment compares to that triumph. Every earthly champion eventually steps off the podium. Records are broken. Crowds move on. But Christ’s victory stands forever, and here is the beautiful truth: Jesus did not win for Himself alone.

A champion fights on behalf of others. When David fought Goliath, the whole nation of Israel benefited from his victory. In the same way, Jesus fought for us. Because of Him, those who trust in Him share in what He accomplished.

Romans 8:37 declares, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Notice that phrase“through Him.” Our victory is not self-earned. It flows from the triumph of Christ.

So while it is inspiring to watch champions from around the world compete on the ice, snow, and slopes, there is a deeper reminder in it all. Human champions train for years and may win for a moment. But there is one champion who stepped into the greatest battle in history and secured an eternal victory.  The world may celebrate many champions, but there is a true champion.

And His name is Jesus.