When you have a love for basketball, like I do, you go past the game and enjoy the stories that make it bigger than life. The “number” can symbolize the emotion, effort, and sometimes the legacy.
61 –represents the number of points scored by Chris Paul (point guard for LA Clippers) in the game after his grandfather was murdered – 1pt for every year of his life…literally, a point was made!
23 – Tony Andracki in a CSNChicago article writes, “Jersey numbers are the universal language in sports. It doesn't matter what sport, what country -- the number a player wears is sacred. There may be no more recognizable number than 23, thanks to Michael Jordan. Everybody -- even those apathetic about sports -- associates the No. 23 with MJ. #45 was actually Michael Jordan’s favorite (he wore it during his short baseball career) but his brother was older than him and claimed it so MJ decided on #23 which is half of 45.
Repeated phrases are all over the Bible but none more glaring than the 59 “One Another” passages in the New Testament. Jesus says it, the disciples repeated it, but even better they lived it! “Love one another” was repeated 16 of the 59 times. The repetition wasn’t just in word but in action. Jesus lit the fire of love and the disciples spread it. Let’s continue to reveal the love of Christ in our families, church, community, city, and the world.
O taste and see that the Lord is good. In his presence and with his people…