The name Ja Morant is almost a household name in Memphis and is a well-known name in the sports world of our nation. His name is constantly in the news for his amazing performance in Grizzlies Basketball games.
Recently his name has been in the news for the “wrong kind” of performance.
He was suspended for eight games after live-streaming himself waving a gun in a club in Colorado. The NBA says the discipline is in response to that March 4 incident and that Morant will not be able to return until March 20 vs. Dallas.
Morant played for 24 minutes in that game . A frontpage headline in Memphis’ Commercial Appeal on March 24 proclaimed Morant’s return was a roaring reminder about forgiveness. The story claimed, “This was the moment everybody was waiting for while Morant was suspended.”
The headline about forgiveness was powerfully underscored by another happening. When warmups arrived, Morant emerged from the locker room and there, in his customary seat was his father, Tee Morant, wearing a new hooded sweatshirt featuring his son. “REDEMPTION,” it read, alongside a photo of Morant. Along with his 4-year old daughter, many of Morant’s family and friends were wearing the sweatshirt.
When Morant was asked if he saw this as a story of redemption responded, “I got a second chance…I only have to make it right and show Ja as a person.”
What a story to contemplate during this Holy Week, as we approach Good Friday and Easter. Forgiveness and Redemption.
The need is clear. Guilt is a devastating force in our lives. It may be a positive force as well. If guilt is a sign of our sensitivity to sin, then it can be used by the Holy Spirit to evoke repentance and confession on our part, which are the prerequisites to forgiveness. Yet it can be a paralyzing force as well. Guilt can be a burden that will weigh us down, bury us in remorse and condemnation, drain us of emotional and spiritual energy and make us impotent spiritually, even physically.
As a living presence in our lives, Christ continues the ministry he not only preached, but practiced during his earthly life. But how? As we look at his life and teaching we can glean lessons and experiences we need. One, in the presence of Jesus, the fact of sin is glaringly revealed. Two, Jesus separates sin and sinner. In his forgiveness, he confirms self-esteem and self-worth. Three, Jesus deals decisively with sin, puts the past behind us, and frees us for an open future.