The Best Team Of All Time

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

If you are a footballer or you're a football fan, let me ask you a simple but unique question. Which national football team is the best team of all time? Which eleven men were they? I am sure many will say that the best team would probably be Brazil National Team. They already have 5 times championship record of the FIFA World Cup.

Some may also take the Spanish National Team, because they're the defending champion of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa last year. Every national team is selected the best among the players to represent the country. Their 'Ultimate Goal' is to win for their nation to become a world champion. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize" 1 Cor. 9:24.

There is another team far better than those of the best national teams; they always win a team that does not dissolve with the passing of time. And this best team of all time was made up of PETER, JOHN, JAMES, ANDREW, BARTHOLOMEW, THOMAS, THADDAEUS, JAMES, PHILIP, MATTHEW and SIMON.

You might be confused, what team were they on? Actually they were not a sports team at all, but these eleven ordinary men were a team capable of changing and transforming the world. With the help and the presence of their master coach Jesus Christ.

You too can be part of this extraordinary team, playing and representing your Master. A team in which everyone is essential, and which everyone can join, and no specific qualities are needed. It is a team that lasts forever, not only for this lifetime but even beyond death. "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever" 1 Cor. 9: 25.

The coach (Jesus) died but again resurrected so that He will give them a finest instructions to play as one of the best team ever and always. And the Coach after giving them assignments He was ascended to heaven, 'He was at peace'.

He knew that He was leaving behind His eleven players capable of winning every game they play and even to win the entire world on their side. So that the world will know who is their Coach. He had spent three years coaching with them, teaching them everything about the match and about the spiritual game of life!

Jesus well trained to these eleven men, for it was God's plan. There was no other. What would have been if the plan had failed? God didn't allow the angels to play for them (preach the gospel). He didn't leave signs written in heaven. God didn't speak in loud voice which carried across the universe so that men would know His divine will.

God's entire plan was put into the hands of these eleven ordinary men, without human power, fearful, and doubting, but these eleven men are playing with the help of Coach's supernatural power (the unseen coach to help them win).

Most of us might have witness the best football team during the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan. The Brazil national team's wearing a gospel t.shirt that talks about their unseen Coach. His love, His sacrifice and the hope He gave to the world was their slogans on their jerseys. Later on the team inside the stadium were kneeling in a circle, joining hands together, lifting up their hands and voices together and sang this song for their coach;

In some Christian countries whenever they gathered they always sang this song. They come together because of the Coach Jesus;

"How good it is to see you here, in God's team,
Where we can sing to Jesus!
Receive the light from Him, our praise offer,
Feeling the joy of heaven here!
I want to hug you because you're my friend,
As a brother I want to love you.
To see you worship here with me, your hand to hold.
To be very close when you're sad.....
In the joys I want to laugh with you.
If we walk together,
It will surely be easier to continue..."