This past Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals lost in the AFC Championship game as the Kansas City Chiefs kicked a game-winning field goal with 4 seconds left. With twenty-one seconds remaining in the game, sitting outside of field goal range, Patrick Mahomes scrambled for five yards to the Bengals 37 Yard line… Then it happened. As Mahomes was going out of bounds, Linebacker Joseph Ossai hit him late and was given an unnecessary roughness penalty. This moved the ball to the twenty-seven yard, which was well within range for the Chiefs kicker.
 
A game that seemed destined for overtime, was over in an instant. With the clock at zero and red and yellow confetti falling from the sky, the camera kept showing Joseph Ossai who was crying on the bench. This twenty-two year old felt the weight of the game on his shoulders. In that moment, he probably felt alone and solely responsible, but he was not alone.
 
A meaningful reflection of Jesus happens as we stand WITH people.
 
Understandably, numerous reporters wanted to speak with Ossai after the game. To his credit, he didn’t hide, but stood front and center of the cameras and answered the questions. But he was not alone. His teammate, BJ Hill stood beside him during the entire interview. Not only did BJ Hill communicate his support of Ossai, but there were couple of times when Hill asked the reporter to move on and ask a different question.
 
In the worst of times, our tendency is to run and hide. It’s tough to face the music, it’s difficult to own the mistake, and it’s a lonely place to stand. BJ hill exemplified for the world what it looks like to be a good teammate. In the aftermath of a crushing loss, BJ didn’t go his own way, he stood beside his teammate so he wouldn’t have to go through the interview alone.
 
Standing WITH people so they are not alone is a very “Jesus” thing to do. As Jesus ministered (while on earth), He routinely spent time with people who had little social value (Women, Children, Adulterers, Tax collectors, Lepers, etc.). He was with the folks who were often being pushed into isolation.
 
It can be difficult to do the right thing and it becomes more difficult as we strive to do it alone. Perhaps one of our biggest forms of encouragement to those around us will be to remain with them when things don’t go as planned.
 
Because Jesus is with us, we reflect Him as we are with others.
 
Keep Reflecting Jesus!